One of West Norfolk's biggest employers today pledges its future to King's Lynn as it unveils a £23m investment.
The cash injection at the Mars Food factory – which produces brands including Uncle Ben's and Dolmio – will create 28 new full-time jobs by next spring and comes as the company unveils a £6m office redevelopment.
Environment secretary and South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss will announce the investment today when she opens the new-look offices, which include a canteen, a green 'living' roof, and a gymnasium.
The investment will see production line capacity increased to meet the growing demand for Uncle Ben's ready-to-heat rice, and fund a new building, more efficient machinery and improved infrastructure at the Hardwick Industrial Estate site.
North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham hailed the announcement as 'phenomenally good news'.
'It's a major endorsement by one of our most important local companies,' he said.
'For Mars to be investing this level of money in King's Lynn is a big accolade for the town, for the district and for West Norfolk as a manufacturing and industrial centre.
'It's important news at a difficult time as post-Brexit there's a lot of uncertainty. Mars standing strong is a sign Britain is open for business and doing well.'
The investment is show of confidence in the Hardwick Industrial Estate site, where Mars Food has been manufacturing for 53 years, and which already employs nearly 300 people.
Michal Riha, plant manager at Mars Food King's Lynn, said: 'The latest investment at our King's Lynn site shows our continued commitment to investing and growing the site which manufactures some of the UK's favourite family brands, including Uncle Ben's and Dolmio.'
Ms Truss said: 'Around the world, Britain is rightly seen as a great place to invest with our £100bn food and drink industry renowned for high-quality produce and forward-looking innovation.
'This significant investment by Mars is a real vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business, creating jobs locally and helping drive economic growth for the nation.'
Are you making a major investment? Email mark.shields@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772426.
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