THE new head of telephony giant O2’s Preston Brook customer service centre has pledged to deliver a “workers’ paradise” after polling staff on their ideal creature comforts.

Gareth Pickles is considering installing a running track around the Runcorn offices, increasing the number of plasma TV screens around the building for staff to catch up with weekend sports events, and increasing the choice of food and drink.

He has taken over as operations manager at O2 and one of his first tasks was to distribute questionnaires asking the 1,700 staff working at the site what changes they could like to see at their offices.

Responses were wide and varied, from the plasma TV screens and running track requests to another health-orientated measure of exploring the idea of a professional slimming group.

Mr Pickles has already introduced the opportunity for staff to have extra neck and shoulder massages at their desk, as well as providing a favourite popular soft drink on site for O2 workers.

And he said that he is committed to implementing as many of the requests arising from the staff questionnaires as possible.

He explained: “O2’s vision is to turn our customers into fans, and one way of doing this is to improve the training, development and frame of mind of the people dealing with our customers.

“I want the people employed at this site to be happy to come into work.

“There are a lot of talented people working here and we want to utilise those talents and give them the opportunity to flex their creative muscles during their working day.”

Mr Pickles started his career as a customer sales advisor for British Gas, then worked in a variety of managerial roles for RBS, Cable and Wireless and British Gas.

He was also responsible for implementing the NatWest credit card terminals located at shop till points.

And he revealed that another of his ideas for Preston Brook is equally as pioneering.

He said he wants to create what he calls an “Experience Room” at O2’s Runcorn site.

The room would display a selection of customers’ letters and comments that would be pinned around the walls, which would then allow staff to reflect on the service that O2 provides their clients.

Mr Pickles said: “We want our staff to be completely in tune with the needs of our O2 customers, so we can offer them the best possible service.”