A well-known Suffolk drink company is set to invest £6million into new facilities which will help to boost its output.

Aspall Cyder has submitted a major new proposal for its centre in Aspall, near Debenham, because it wants to nearly quadruple its apple juice-producing capacity.

The plan has been put forward in response to a potential five-year supermarket contract, which would require it to produce 10million litres of apple juice a year, compared to its current 2.5million litres output.

The blueprint for the centre includes a new press room, which would cover an area of almost 1,800 metres2 and a storage room of nearly 4,000m2.

Although it is the firm’s biggest investment for several years, no new staff would be employed to add to the current 100.

Employees working in the current press room would transfer to the new facility.

Des Smith, managing director of the firm said: “We are hoping to have a formal planning application submitted by the end of December. The reason behind the investment is because the current press room and presses are about 28 years old and we need to renew them.

“It will not create new jobs but the press room will inevitably be used to focus on the English apple juice market.

“It will make the business more efficient and will be better for the business in the future.”

He added that part of the reason the company was able to make the investment was because of the improving economy.

If councillors at Mid Suffolk District Council were to give the proposal the green light, building work could start next July.

Work would then be set to be complete by February 2016.

The company, which also produces vinegar and was founded in 1722, is best known for making cyder.