King's Lynn factory set for £23 million expansion

Local politicians have hailed the announcement from managers of the Mars Food site in Hansa Road as a big economic boost for both the borough and the country.

Almost 30 new jobs are set to be created at the factory, as part of the extention of its production lines making Uncle Ben’s Ready to Heat rice products.

The project, which is expected to be completed early next year, further extends the company’s connection to Lynn, which dates back to the 1960s.

The announcement came ahead of the opening of a new £6 million office complex at the plant by environment secretary and South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss today.

She said: “Around the world, Britain is rightly seen as a great place to invest with our £100 billion food and drink industry renowned for high quality produce and forward looking innovation.

“This significant investment 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.”

North West Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham said: “This new investment is really brilliant news for King’s Lynn as it fully underlines Mars Food UK’s commitment, not just to our local business community, but to West Norfolk as a whole.

“This is an incredibly welcome investment, because all of these new jobs are going to be full time ones on attractive contracts.

“It is also a vote of confidence in a town and district that has a very bright future.”

Michel Riha, the plant’s manager, 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 – Uncle Ben’s and Dolmio.

“Our new office facilities, which provide a great environment for our employees, including a new canteen and gymnasium and have been built with impressive environmental credentials of which we are all extremely proud.”