THREE energy sector businesses have moved onto Beacon Park, in Gorleston-on-Sea, as construction work continues apace on the business park thanks to investment by Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the Government.

The borough council, the owner and developer of the premier park, is investing £8m to build more than 100,000sq ft of floorspace in four phases. Beacon Park is part of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft (New Anglia) Enterprise Zone, which focuses on growing energy-related business within the East of England Energy Zone.

The nine units of office and industrial floorspace, which comprise phases one and two, have been constructed speculatively by the borough council as a mark of confidence in the growing local economy. Four are already occupied with a further two under offer.

Keys were formally handed over recently to the energy sector businesses, Cebo UK Ltd, Magma Products, and Elmdale, for units on the park’s Blackfriars Court industrial campus.

Representatives from the businesses joined Cllr Trevor Wainwright, the council leader, and Paul Pitcher, the managing director of Lowestoft-based contractor, Wellington Construction, for the traditional ceremony.

Cllr Wainwright said: “I wholeheartedly welcome these businesses to Beacon Park, which is growing fast and supporting the local economy thanks to continued private and public investment, including a significant contribution from the borough council.

“The fact that three of the new occupiers operate in the energy sector supply chain is a great way to start celebrations for the 50^thanniversary of offshore operations from Great Yarmouth, and indicates huge confidence in the local economy, the skills of the workforce, the port and business park facilities, and the Enterprise Zone.”

The Government is also investing £3m of infrastructure funding in Beacon Park, which together with further funds from the borough council, is enabling the council to construct seven more industrial and office buildings, as well as other important infrastructure.

Magma Products employs 15 from its Beacon Park operation, with a further 25 expected to be recruited in the next six months.

Hayley Cann, of Magma Products, said: “The success of Beacon Park is an excellent example of public and private organisations working together to deliver tangible results.

“Our Great Yarmouth office is already playing its part in our company’s overall success. In addition, there is a talented local skills base which can help our business grow. Here’s to the next 50 years, and more, of offshore operations from Great Yarmouth.”

Chris Starkie, managing director of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “There is no doubt that the Enterprise Zone brand and its real business benefits have proved a big attraction for the energy sector and, in turn, millions of pounds of investment for the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft area.

“Beacon Park is great example of that and is fast becoming a real hub for the energy industry and its supply chain.”

Paul Pitcher, managing director of Wellington Construction, said: “2014 saw Beacon Park move forward hugely, with a number of companies moving onto the park, taking advantage of the superb location and Enterprise Zone benefits, and creating jobs in the process.

“These three new companies which are moving onto Beacon Park are a further indication of the attractiveness of Beacon Park to businesses, and an indication of the success of the partnership between Wellington and Great Yarmouth Borough Council which has developed Blackfriars Court speculatively.”

Businesses interested in moving to Beacon Park can contact the appointed agents, Bycroft Commercial and Arnolds Keys, or visit www.beaconpark.co.uk

Notes:

• Beacon Park is the significant growth area in the region, with a sustainable mixture of jobs to support the population, as well as key infrastructure, including the new A12/A143 link road through the park.

• The Enterprise Zone provides a range of benefits for energy-related businesses to help them grow, including a discount on business rates of up to £275,000, simplified planning, and super-fast broadband.

• There will be over £50bn capital expenditure invested in the East of England Energy Zone over the next 20 years in offshore wind farms, oil and gas exploration and extraction, nuclear – new build and decommissioning – and gas storage and platform decommissioning.

• Other business at Beacon Park include global offshore manufacturing firm NOV Hydra-Rig, Virgin Atlantic Flightstore, ElectroTech, Diesel Power (East Anglia) Ltd, Nexus engineering training centre and MacLean Electrical.

• Wellington Construction, based in Lowestoft, Suffolk, is a long-established commercial and residential developer and an integrated construction and civil engineering contractor.

• Magma Products has carved out a niche in the area of commissioning and start-up, the process of introducing oil and gas to projects whereby checks, inspections, certification and tests are carried out on components and systems before handover to the operator or duty-holder. In addition, the business has developed MEWS (Magma Engineering Workpack System) – a solution for generating the required detailed testing procedures, from P&IDs (piping and instrumentation diagrams), piping isometrics and electrical single line drawings. The company also provides engineering consultancy services, equipment hire and engineering and management support. Magma Products also has offices in Aberdeen, Houston and Bucharest.

• Cebo UK Ltd Gt Yarmouth is a supplier of oil well cement and drilling products to the Southern Sector offshore gas fields. Its main office is in Aberdeen, which supplies the UK offshore oil fields. The business has two employees at Beacon Park. www.cebo-uk.com

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