A major milestone has been reached in a project to build a landmark headquarters for the energy sector in Gorleston.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place for the new £8m base for Proserv at the enterprise zone in Beacon Park.
The development, to be called Artemis House, will enable the business to consolidate and grow its Great Yarmouth operation under one roof.
The firm currently employs about 190 staff at three sites across the borough. Most of these employees already live within 10 minutes of Beacon Park.
The borough council has invested £4.5m in the development, with an additional £1.5m coming from New Anglia LEP's Growing Places Fund. Proserv is contributing up to £2m towards the fit-out for their requirements and will be taking a 20-year lease on completion.
To celebrate the traditional ground-breaking ceremony, the council's political group leaders gathered on-site, part of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft (New Anglia) Enterprise Zone, together with representatives of Proserv, the LEP and construction contractor Morgan Sindall.
In a joint statement, the council's political group leaders, Graham Plant, Kay Grey, Trevor Wainwright and Adrian Myers, said it was a clear symbol of this council's close work with partners to support economic growth.
They added: 'Over the coming months, people travelling through the park on the new link road will see this landmark building take shape.
'This ground-breaking is another chance to celebrate what the development will bring to the borough. Importantly, these skilled jobs, mostly held by local people, will continue to be based within the borough, supporting the local economy and prosperity.'
Head of operations at Proserv, Simon Harvey, said: 'This is a significant milestone in the development of our new facility which will serve as a global hub and Centre of Excellence for our subsea communication and controls activities.'
Managing director of New Anglia LEP Chris Starkie said it was 'a real shot in the arm' for the all-energy coastline.
The development will be completed in early 2018 and will form another part of the borough council's important property portfolio, generating significant rental income which is used to help support vital public services.
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