Chopper firm may leave Yarmouth
A helicopter company which ferries offshore workers from Great Yarmouth to the North Sea is considering moving its base of operations from the town it was revealed this week.
A helicopter company which ferries offshore workers from Great Yarmouth to the North Sea is considering moving its base of operations from the town it was revealed this week.
CHC has a fleet of five helicopters at North Denes heliport, which has been serving the offshore industry for 40 years.
Yesterday the Aberdeen-based company confirmed that it is looking into the possibility of relocating its North Denes base, which operates Augusta Westland 139 and Sikorsky S76 helicopters and has 70 staff.
CHC is asking its offshore customers if they would support the closure and relocation of the heliport's business.
If the response is negative then the plans should be ditched.
The Mercury understands that CHC is considering moving its Yarmouth operation to Norwich International Airport because of the costs of building a new run way at North Denes.
Most Read
- 1 Landlord finds 20 rabbits abandoned at home after tenants move out
- 2 Six arrested after Willow the dog finds 'substantial' quantity of drugs
- 3 From schools to shops: All you need to know about living in Gorleston
- 4 Mixed feelings for traders as they move into Great Yarmouth's new market
- 5 'The best yet' - Yarmouth's celebration of wheels gearing up for return
- 6 8 places where you can see fireworks for free in Norfolk for the jubilee
- 7 Rollesby mum shares heartbreak after death of her seven-year-old daughter
- 8 Driver caught at speeds of nearly 100mph also found to have no licence
- 9 Crews called to collapsed walker on remote Norfolk Broads' path
- 10 Revealed: Your favourite fish and chip shop in Norfolk
Last night the leader of Yarmouth Borough Council, Barry Coleman, said his authority was working closely with CHC to try and persuade the company to stay at North Denes.
As well as the ramifications of losing 70 jobs from Yarmouth, it is feared that fewer offshore workers will stay in Yarmouth hotels and guest houses if they land elsewhere in the region.
On average about 30,000 passengers pass through the heliport's terminal to get to the southern part of the North Sea.
