BUILDING work has started on the new 55,000 square foot Chubb Fire and Security Limited office complex in Blackburn which will bring more than 150 jobs to the town.

A ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony was held on the Shadsworth Business Park site to start construction of the ‘high-performance workspace’.

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The development involves knocking down three existing buildings, the first of which has already been demolished, to make way for an advanced, integrated and sustainable office complex due to be finished in summer next year.

It will see employee numbers in Blackburn swell to 500, of which at least 150 jobs will be new. The new complex will provide space space for Chubb staff, as well as UK affiliates of Otis Limited and Carrier Controls Limited, and serve as a showcase for the capabilities of all three brands.

The staff will work in information technology, finance, supply chain and customer service.

It will also be the new home for Chubb Systems and Chubb Community Care, including their research, development and engineering teams.

Alastair Reynolds, managing director of Chubb Fire and Security, said: “This is an exciting day for our company.

“With this new building we are creating a safer, smarter and more sustainable environment that will be a great place for our employees to work, and an asset to the local community in terms of our efforts to blend in with the local environment, and in terms of investment in Blackburn.

“This development demonstrates our commitment to green building technology.

"It will incorporate a number of the most modern and eco-friendly technologies possible to provide our employees with an environmentally responsible, smart and energy-efficient workplace for them to enjoy.

“We are aiming for a completion date of summer 2017. This is the culmination of many years of hard work for the Chubb team of which I am immensely proud.”

The complex will be built by Nelson-based developers, Barnfield Construction and has the backing of Blackburn with Darwen Council. Cllr Phil Riley, said: “This is great news, securing jobs and opportunities for local people."

“I look forward to seeing this development completed.”

Steve Riley, contracts director of Barnfield Construction, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded the contract to construct the brand new 55,000 square foot offices for such a prestigious company.

“The first of the three former buildings has already been demolished to make way for Chubb’s brand new facility.”

Existing staff have been staff will be temporarily relocated while the work is undertaken.