Managing director of Brighton & Hove Buses, Roger French, explained "We’re pleased to be investing in new facilities for our staff. Over the last three years business expansion, through increases in frequencies on the city’s key bus services, has seen over 100 additional drivers recruited as well as skilled engineers and back up staff.”

The Company now employs 1,000 staff in the city. “These new facilities will help us provide the best training for our employees as well as facilities for workplace lifelong learning. The ground floor will include more space for drivers reporting for work, and other offices to meet future expansion plans for the Company.”

Lewes Road is currently seeing a number of development schemes including the nearby Preston barracks major redevelopment. “We’re grateful for the encouragement we’ve received from the City Council with our development”, Roger French added “and it demonstrates our own confidence in the city’s public transport to commit £1.25 million of private capital investment in this expansion.”

Work has just commenced on demolition of the old building with the new one due to be completed early in 2006.