NATIONWIDE has given fresh backing to its home town with the multi-million purchase of a new Swindon site.

Ramsbury House, based at Kembrey Park, will become home to 700 of the building society’s digital staff and is due to open its doors in September.

The state-of-the art office will also be a place for local groups and businesses to meet and innovate – providing a resource for the wider community.

The idea stems from Nationwide’s 4C branch design, which is being rolled out across the UK and features a community space in the design of its larger branches. There are two such branches in Swindon.

Tony Prestedge, deputy CEO at Nationwide, said: “We’re really proud of our heritage here in Swindon and pleased to be investing in multi-million pound site in our home land.

“We recognise the importance of investing in the skills and capabilities needed to meet our members’ needs for the future – and an important part of that is providing the right environment for our people, to build on our existing digital and technology capabilities.

“Securing this new building in Swindon is a key part of this ambition.

“Purchasing Ramsbury House is also an important part of protecting our future in Swindon and demonstrating our commitment to the area.

“We want to continue to help the local community grow and hope our space for local groups and businesses will provide a valuable space for the community to meet in a really creative and innovative environment.”

Nationwide’s headquarters on Pipers Way employs around 6,500 people and it is currently recruiting for 300 further roles across the town.

The government’s business secretary, Greg Clark, said: “Nationwide’s expansion plans are a vote of confidence in Swindon as a place to invest and grow, as well as the dedicated workforce.

“It also represents a significant investment in jobs for the future, just as Swindon is set to benefit from a new Institute of Technology, offering training in the key digital and technological skills that forward-thinking ambitious companies like Nationwide value so highly.

“This expansion matches the ambitions we set out in our modern Industrial Strategy, investing in skills infrastructure and industries of the future.”Nationwide has also supported the local bid for £21 million funding to create a Institute of Technology, which was successfully won in April and will be based at Swindon College.

Mr Prestedge explained: “This employer-led initiative will provide education for students pursuing careers in technology, engineering or health and life sciences, equipping them with essential and highly desirable transferable skills, which will hugely benefit students, the local economy and us a major employer.”