Barclays in Knutsford

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Got an interview next week at Radbroke Hall next week. Can anybody shed some light on the following:

1) What's the work atmosphere like there?
2) What's the commute like into knutsford (coming from the A34) at peak times + is there parking?
3) Working hours - flexible, long etc?
4) What are the people like there?
5) Any other info

Much appreciated

[northernladuk]

Got an interview next week at Radbroke Hall next week. Can anybody shed some light on the following:

1) What's the work atmosphere like there?
2) What's the commute like into knutsford (coming from the A34) at peak times + is there parking?
3) Working hours - flexible, long etc?
4) What are the people like there?
5) Any other info

Much appreciated

1) Depends on which group you work in just like any role. The group opposite you could be having a great time, yours could be a group of smiling assassins. Generally when I was there I enjoyed it as it is a great location and nice canteen. There was always the threat of rate reductions and cutbacks when I was there (which happened) so that dampened the spirit a bit

2) Plenty of parking in the grounds if you are early enough, commute is nice through the countryside unless you get stuck behind a tractor. They are flexible with times so I arrived at 9.30 so traffic not an issue

3) They were pretty flexible with me but you had to stay to do the job if the crap hit the fan. My group did not like 9-5'ers at all.

4) In general they have a head, arms, legs and the like. I can't really describe to social aspects of a few 1000 people. They are very contractor heavy so thats not a problem.

5a) Check your contract carefully. Last I heard there was no option for giving notice due to them getting burned when they offered stupid rates.

5b) The rates there at the moment are pants. You might get lucky but from what I have seen the are rubbish. Many people used it as stop gap and left but with no notice you cannot do that now.

Overall I liked it there, just the rate cuts at the time and poor rates in general are a pain.

Oh the huge open plan offices are very different to what I have seen before so an eye opener on first day but not a problem

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

5b) The rates there at the moment are pants. You might get lucky but from what I have seen the are rubbish. Many people used it as stop gap and left but with no notice you cannot do that now.

They are £100/day shy of the rates I have been able to get interviews for in financial sector of London. But for Manchester area the rate I have been quoted is very decent, it's the same as I my current rate (65 miles away).

[northernladuk]

They are £100/day shy of the rates I have been able to get interviews for in financial sector of London. But for Manchester area the rate I have been quoted is very decent, it's the same as I my current rate (65 miles away).

You can kiss a good chunk of that 100 quid goodbye in accodomation and then there is the peace of mind aspect. I would happily accept a 100 quid less if it was between Radbroke and London. In Summer Radbroke is a lovely place and as long as I was content I wasn't losing out massively on rates in the area (which I would be for my sector and Barclays) I would say go for it. It's a great site to work on IMO.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

You can kiss a good chunk of that 100 quid goodbye in accodomation and then there is the peace of mind aspect. I would happily accept a 100 quid less if it was between Radbroke and London. In Summer Radbroke is a lovely place and as long as I was content I wasn't losing out massively on rates in the area (which I would be for my sector and Barclays) I would say go for it. It's a great site to work on IMO.

Totally agree with that, £100/day difference not worth it to work in London. At £150 its worth considering but any less and it's a no brainer.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

You can kiss a good chunk of that 100 quid goodbye in accodomation and then there is the peace of mind aspect. I would happily accept a 100 quid less if it was between Radbroke and London. In Summer Radbroke is a lovely place and as long as I was content I wasn't losing out massively on rates in the area (which I would be for my sector and Barclays) I would say go for it. It's a great site to work on IMO.

Would you say that financial sector on your cv helped you in getting future contracts?

[northernladuk]

Would you say that financial sector on your cv helped you in getting future contracts?

Not as yet as I haven't take two roles in the same industry sector yet oddly enough but.... I do get a lot of calls to go back to Barlcays. I think a large majority of contractor in the area have worked in Barclays so think it is pretty common on a CV.

They haven't strictly 'helped' me yet but the extra calls from them I am sure will land nicely sometime in the future.

[ChrisPackit]

I worked there about 10 years ago, and it was the best place I have ever worked. Nice people, OK rate, loads of totty, good sports / social scene...what more can you ask for. I did speak to a friend of mine who was there 3 or 4 years ago and he said it had changed a lot now for the worse.

It's simple to get to. I used to get there for 7:30 so parking wasn't a problem.

In summary, I'd love to go back there...

[Fred Bloggs]

Totally agree with that, £100/day difference not worth it to work in London. At £150 its worth considering but any less and it's a no brainer.

I think even at £150 a day local v London, I'd do local every time. Current gig is in Surrey, but it is >2x North West local rates, so has been well worth doing.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Incidently, has anybody tried the new A34 bypass extension? Would it help in getting to knutsford?