McLaughlin & Harvey have staged a ceremony to mark the beginning of construction work on the new HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Specialist Site at the site of Teville Gate House in Worthing.

Once completed, the new building will accommodate around 900 full time employees.

Alex Bailey, Chief Executive of Adur & Worthing District Council, Alan Tume, HMRC Regional Implementation Lead, David Larmour, Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey and Jeremy Birkett-Jones, Director from Hunter REIM turned the first earth with spades to officially mark the start of the build.

Councillor Kevin Jenkins, Executive Member for Regeneration for Adur & Worthing District Council, said: "This project will bring major benefits to Worthing, boosting local business and supporting our on-going work to improve the vitality of the borough. The development will also contribute towards plans to redesign and improve Railway Approach in line with our wider public realm ambitions, creating a more welcoming approach for visitors who arrive in our town by train. We are delighted to see the build under way!"

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Alan Tume, HMRC's Regional Implementation Lead, also said: "HMRC has had a presence in Worthing for many years and is part of the community. Today marks the first milestone in the construction of its new specialist site at Teville Gate House which, once complete, will provide colleagues with the modern, flexible and collaborative working environments they deserve. We are really looking forward to seeing the construction on the site progress and being part of a development which includes homes, retail outlets and a public square. Teville Gate House will bring us a step closer to achieving our transformation."

David Larmour, Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, added: "McLaughlin & Harvey is pleased to be part of the construction of the new HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Specialist Site building in Worthing. To be awarded this contract is a testament to our reputation for delivering quality buildings on time and to budget."

Teville Gate House was chosen as the preferred location for Worthing's Specialist Site as it meets HMRC's future needs and location principles, including being opposite the train station and close to other transport links and local amenities.

The existing derelict premises at Teville Gate House have been demolished to make way for the new development. HMRC was previously located at Teville Gate House but consolidated in other local offices, when it closed in April 2010.

(MH)