The opening of an £8m centre of excellence demonstrates an energy services company's commitment to the Norfolk coast, one of its bosses has said.
Proserv has officially opened its purpose-built Artemis House facility on Gorleston's Beacon Park, which adds 25% to its manufacturing space in the town and offers the potential to further increase its headcount in the future.
Davis Larssen, chief operation officer of Proserv, said the move had brought together the firm's 180 employees in the region on to one site.
He said: "Having just begun building this exceptional site a little over a year ago, I would like to thank everyone involved in helping us reach this key milestone.
"This opening is a new chapter for us as we consolidate more than 180 employees from our previous two sites in the area. It's fantastic to see our workforce unite, ensuring we are well placed to not only meet customers' expectations but exceed them, now and in the future."
Great Yarmouth Borough Council and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have helped to develop the site, investing £4.5m and £1.5m respectively while Proserv put in £2m towards fit out requirements before starting a 20-year lease.
In a joint statement, the council's political group leaders, Graham Plant and Trevor Wainwright, said: "Artemis House will ensure that these skilled jobs, mostly held by local people, will continue to be based within the borough, while generating rental income which is used to help support vital public services. As the developer, we would like to thank the skilled team who helped to make this important development a reality and we're sure that Proserv's staff will enjoy their brand new purpose-built workplace."
Doug Field, chairman of New Anglia LEP, said: "The completion of Artemis House is great news for Proserv, its employees and the wider economy. LEP investments through our Growing Places Fund are targeted to make an impact, and this project will do exactly that. It's further evidence of the strength of our energy coastline - within which Proserv is a key supplier and employer - and of our Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone in attracting and retaining investment in the East."
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