Development and construction company Harrison is to create 30 jobs at its headquarters in Malton.

Harrison Developments' financial director Malcolm Scott, chairman Martyn Harrison, and managing director of the company's construction arm, Nigel Firn, celebrate news of the firm's expansion

The company, which presently has 200 employees, revealed its intention as it posted pre-tax profits of £419,000 and a record order book, which will see the business almost double in size over the next two years.

Meanwhile, a "below expectations" turnover of £13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998, was the result of a delayed start on the group's £12 million retail development at Catterick Garrison.

Work will now start in May, following the withdrawal of an application for judicial review on the planning permission.

Group chairman Martyn Harrison said: "There's no great secret to our success. It's simply about delivering quality, on time, at good value. To do that requires sound financial and business management."

Tight control of cashflow was assisted during the year by the freehold investment sale of occupied units at Harrison's Wesley Square development in Goole town centre.

During 1998, Harrison handed over a prestigious 48,000 sq ft £3.3 million office scheme at Clifton Park in York, and a new post office sorting centre at Birch Park, also in York.

The group completed the £1.8 million refurbishment of a grade two listed former convent building in Scarborough to provide sheltered apartments for the elderly.

A £6.3 million social housing project in partnership with Home Housing Association and City of York Council is half-way completed.

Recent new contracts has seen Harrison, which was established in 1952, expand its operations beyond its North and East Yorkshire heartlands into Teesside, and South and West Yorkshire.

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