is or has been?

[Hanka]

Hi,

could you please tell me which of these sentences is better and why:

The company has been operating an office in London since 2001.
The company operates an office in London since 2001.

Can both be used or not?

Many thanks.

Hanka

[MrPedantic]

Hello Hanka

Only the first is correct.

You need a tense that focuses on an action in the recent past that continues into the present. That tense is the present perfect!

MrP