TORFAEN AM Lynne Neagle has officially opened the offices of an insurance brokers at an old county court in Pontypool.

The insurance company, called Penn Insure, moved into the old Pontypool County Court this autumn creating 17 jobs.

Founded just three years ago, the brokers were able to open new offices at the old county court in September after receiving an £186,500 grant from the Wales Economic Growth Fund.

The Torfaen AM said the company was investing £400,000 on the expansion supported by the Wales Economic Growth Fund.

“After my first meeting with Penn Insure back in 2013, I invited the Economy Minister, Edwina Hart, to visit the firm, and was delighted when that led to a significant investment from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund,” Mrs Neagle said.

“It was great to meet with management and staff once again today – Penn Insure have come a really long way in the last twelve months and it’s good to see the Old Court Building get a new lease of life as their Pontypool HQ.”

The Penn Insure offices in Park Road are three times as big as their former premises.

Associate director Joe Francis said last month: “We operate in a niche market and have identified an opportunity to increase our client base and the support from the Welsh Government is enabling us to take this forward now which will give us a competitive advantage.

“We have a great loyal team in Pontypool and growing the business here means we can continue to develop our staff and recruit locally.”