A high-flying business says it is putting its money where its mouth is as it prepares to invest another £30 million in north Essex.

Flying Trade Group, which owns the Surya Hotels brand, has announced it is set to create a new multi-temperature distribution centre on the outskirts of Colchester bringing 85 jobs to the town.

The group also plans to expand its recently acquired snacking brand arm at its headquarters in Harwich, adding at least 30 more jobs.

Sukai Dulai, chief executive officer of Flying Trade Group, said the company was firmly committed to investing in the area.

He said: “North Essex is our base and it is quite exciting for us to be able to complete these projects.

“There are so many exciting things in Colchester, it is just a question of how it all comes together.

“We are investing heavily in the town and putting our money where our mouth is.”

The announcement follows on from a £10 million investment package announced last year which will see the refurbishment of the historic George Hotel, in Colchester High Street, and the creation of an affiliate hotel in what was St Nicholas House.

Work on the new St Nicholas Hotel at The George is now complete, adding 44 new hotel rooms to the High Street.

Renovations at The George will begin in January with sections of the hotel being temporarily closed for the full refurbishment.

Emulating a previous project at One Castle Park, Flying Trade Group plan to open up the cellar of The George, exposing a Roman house for visitors

Mr Dulai said the 700-year-old hotel would be restored “meticulously”.

He added: “As we move on to the second phase of our project, the restoration of The George itself, we have to ensure that, whilst we bring the hotel back up to date with modern facilities, we don’t lose the historical atmosphere of the building.

“Our aim is to keep the charm and ambience of the hotel, while delivering consistent standards, good food and accommodation.

“We want to expose the history within The George, so customers can feel and appreciate the warmth and depth of its past, while also enjoying the comforts and convenience of modern day life, from WiFi to Cappuccino.”

Mr Dulai said unlike many developers, the company was committed to enriching the heritage of Colchester.

He added: “You cannot just run into it, there has to be painstaking planning before.”

Earlier this month, it was announced the Claudius Gateway cafe at the One Castle Park development had been temporarily closed because of low visitor numbers.

Flying Trade Group said it hopes to reopen the premises in the future.

St Nicholas Hotel at The George, officially opens on Wednesday.