The team behind the UK's first Sake brewery have appointed a local contractor to undertake the building work which is now underway.
Patrick Doyle Contractors have been awarded the contract for the build, which will be based at Fordham Abbey Estate, East Cambridgeshire and will see £9m invested over a period of five years.
The project, which was given unanimous planning approval by East Cambridgeshire District Council is set to create up to 10 local jobs initially, both on the build process, as well as in the Sake brewery and the accompanying visitors centre which will be located on site.
Mr Yoshihide Hashimoto, owner of the Dojima Sake Brewery UK & Co said: " It was always our intention to use a local contractor for the build so we are very happy to be working with Patrick Doyle Contractors. We are very excited to see the work commence."
The Directors of Patrick B Doyle (Construction) LTD added: "to be working on such a prestigious project  is an honour but importantly we will be able to utilise local companies and trades people to bring to life the Hashimoto family 's priority of investing in the local economy."
Cllr Steve Cheetham, Service Delivery Champion from East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "The Dojima Company were directed to the Fordham Abbey site by UK Trade & Investment (now the Department for International Trade) and then worked very closely with the District Council's planning and economic development teams to secure the investment. This is a significant FDI investment into East Cambridgeshire and the UK and we look forward to seeing sake being brewed on site next year."
Lucy Frazer MP said " The Dojima Sake Brewery's decision to open its first UK branch in Fordham is an endorsement of our region. I am delighted that the Department for International Trade has highlighted Cambridgeshire as an area to invest in by directing the company to their Fordham site, and I look forward to the opportunities it will bring to the area."
The Sake Brewery will be the first in the UK and the company aim to make 10,000 bottles in their first trading year.
A "Jichinsai" or ground breaking ceremony, where His Excellency Ambassador Koji Tsuruoka and Lucy Frazer MP will be in attendance, will take place at Fordham Abbey on 28th October and the build is expected to take  9 months to complete, with the first production of sake available in October 2017.