DORSET-BASED website content management specialist Intergage is to open an office in Southampton on June 1 ahead of planned national expansion via franchising.

Since opening, Poole-based Intergage has grown from the three founder directors to a team of 12, with a 105 per cent increase in turnover over the past 12 months.

A three-strong team will open the new Southampton office, with staff numbers set to reach seven within a year.

The Intergage product allows non-technical users to create, manage and update their own interactive website.

Managing director Will Noble said: "This expansion is part of our ongoing business growth, which will also include nationwide franchise opportunities this year. "Approximately 80 per cent of our current customers are in the Dorset catchment area, with only 10 per cent falling into the SO postcode.

"We have identified significant numbers of SMEs that could benefit from the Intergage service, who we wish to target with a local team.

"This new office also gives us the opportunity to strengthen our existing relationship with the chamber of commerce and partners Accounting Answers and Numerica."

Southampton-based Solent Marine has been an Intergage customer since 2003.

Spokesman Marc Simmonds said: "Our site paid for itself within seven weeks by generating £15,000 of new business and has contributed to doubling our turnover."

First published: May 23