A BUSINESS that makes and markets podcasts is expanding to a new studio and has hired two staff.

Podcast Labs works with well-known brands and reality TV stars, as well as local figures such as artist Stuart Semple and boxer Chris Billam-Smith.

The business was founded as a recording studio in Westbourne five months before the pandemic.

Its team of six now works with brands and personalities to make podcasting part of their marketing strategies, as well as providing technical and promotional knowhow. It is moving into its third premises, in Poole, with 3,000sqft feet for studios and staff.

The move has been supported by a grant from BCP Council’s Bounce Back Challenge Fund.

Podcasts have grown rapidly in popularity during the Covid crisis. The number of people listening to a podcast for the first time doubled last year.

Podcast Labs director Kelly Butler said: “Companies can still make incredible waves in the industry with little barriers to entry. Think back to YouTube in 2010 – those who got in first, and remained consistent, were the most rewarded.

“However high-quality production is now important. Dodgy audio just doesn’t cut it anymore to keep listeners engaged.”

Managing director Andy James said: “Our new Podcast Labs studios not only give our ever growing team an incredible place to work, it also enables us to expand our service offering and reach nationwide.”

Other locals who work with Podcast Labs include entrepreneurs Ty Temel, Benjamin Reynolds and Megan Fairhall and well-known companies such as Liz Lean PR, Dorset Growth Hub and Simone Thomas Wellness.

One of the studio’s most successful shows is Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange, with Sarah Raven and Arthur Parkinson, which is near the top of the charts in the UK and has reached almost half a million listeners since its launch earlier this year.

The two new hires are client and studio administrator Amber Boiston and internal project assistant Zoe Wright.

The new studio will be up and running next month.