The 2,821 sq ft building, located on Boldon Business Park, will replace the heating and plumbing merchant’s existing head office in Team Valley, which will remain the firm’s lead branch.

Flame’s investment in the new head office building will support the company’s three-year expansion plan as it expects to launch new trade counters across the North East and into new regions. It is also expecting to create 60 new jobs over this period, doubling its current workforce.

Flame’s 15 back office support and sales staff will be relocated to the Boldon head office, expected to open by the end of November 2018.

Established in 2011 with a single branch, Flame currently operates 11 trade counters across the North East region and in Scotland, and is regarded as the North East’s fastest growing heating and plumbing merchant.

John Savage, managing director of Flame Heating Group, said: “This latest investment highlights our commitment to the North East and will set us up perfectly for future growth and expansion, in line with our ambitious three-year strategy. The Boldon location is ideal for our team, providing excellent transport links to our regional branch network and lead trade counter in Team Valley.”

He added: “There is scope for further job creation to support our back office functions and across our extended branch network, as we look to open new outlets throughout the UK.”