North Norfolk’s largest seafood business based in Cromer has received £210,000 in a finance package negotiated with HSBC.

Jonas Seafood based at Stonehill Way Cromer is going from strength to strength. This agreed funding from HSBC will allow the company to expand its production and to employ more staff at its Stonehill Way, Cromer, processing facility where it also has a retail shop.

The deal was negotiated with HSBC’s Norfolk and Waveney Commercial Centre and was part of the bank’s £300m initiative to help SME’s in the East of England to expand.

The production capacity at Jonas Seafood will increase to allow the processing of 1,500 of Cromer’s famous crabs each day and 70,000 lobsters each year.

The company is well known and respected throughout the catering and seafood retailing industry in the UK and is currently supplying 15,000 outlets.

The managing director of Jonas Seafood, Kevin Jonas stated: “Following the positive changes in economic conditions that we have experienced over the past year, we feel that now is the best time to move forward with our growth plans.

“We take real pride in supplying the very best quality crab and lobster to reputable retailers and restaurants across the country. We have experienced a huge increase in trade opportunities in the last year, and the support from HSBC allowed us to increase our capacity to meet the high demand for our product.”

This is a positive boost for the economy in North Norfolk and with the business continuing to expand more badly needed jobs will be created in Cromer.

North Norfolk’s crab and lobster fishing industry will also benefit, with the demand for the area’s delicious seafood being sustained and even increasing.