A new office development, built to revitalise Middlesbrough town centre and kick start the local economy, has been awarded the same top rating for digital connectivity as two of the world’s most iconic buildings.
One Centre Square is one of the first UK commercial buildings to be given a Platinum Certificate by WiredScore, which provides a global rating scheme.
“This confirms One Centre Square as best in class across all features of connectivity, meaning businesses and employees can benefit from the same level of connectivity as the Empire State Building and The Shard,” said William Newton, WiredScore’s President and Managing Director, EMEA.
An investment to provide the highest level of digital infrastructure demonstrated an ambition to “create a dynamic and productive environment for business,” said Mr Newton, whose organisation has certified more than 500 million square feet of commercial property across the world since 2013.
One Centre Square is the first building in Middlesbrough to receive a Platinum rating. There is only one other in the North East and, of the 384 buildings and developments assessed in London, just 16% have been awarded the highest level of certification.
Centre Square developer Mark Ashall said WiredScore’s assessment was another indication of the standards achieved by the project, which has already been nominated for a number of prestigious architecture awards.
“We set out to create a high-quality office working environment which provides all the features a modern occupier wants, including sustainability, flexibility, energy efficiency, space efficiency as well as excellent connectivity,” he said.
Centre Square’s occupiers will not only have the most reliable of connections when they move in. The building’s digital infrastructure has been designed to cope with the increase in future demand for secure access to data.
Measures to ensure companies can still carry on working in the event a major incident, such as a fire or a flood, have also been provided.
Two climate controlled underground universal communications chambers – housing equipment and cable intakes – have been built on different sides of the building. If connections are disrupted to one, the second one provides a seamless back up.
The Centre Square project was launched five years ago after the influential think-tank Centre for Cities concluded that Middlesbrough town centre needed Grade A offices to attract large companies offering well-paid jobs which, in turn, would have a beneficial impact on the local economy.
In July Two Centre Square, a three-storey 35,000 sq ft office building, was completed. One Centre Square followed two months later. It is bigger – 60,000 sq ft over four storeys – with a large space for a restaurant/café on the ground floor.
Both buildings have been shortlisted for the inaugural Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards which recognise the built environment’s “positive and transformational contribution to society”.
They have also been nominated in the British Council of Offices’ best Commercial Workplace Award.
Photo © Kristen McCluskie Photography
A new office development, built to revitalise Middlesbrough town centre and kick start the local economy, has been awarded the same top rating for digital connectivity as two of the world’s most iconic buildings.
One Centre Square is one of the first UK commercial buildings to be given a Platinum Certificate by WiredScore, which provides a global rating scheme.
“This confirms One Centre Square as best in class across all features of connectivity, meaning businesses and employees can benefit from the same level of connectivity as the Empire State Building and The Shard,” said William Newton, WiredScore’s President and Managing Director, EMEA.
An investment to provide the highest level of digital infrastructure demonstrated an ambition to “create a dynamic and productive environment for business,” said Mr Newton, whose organisation has certified more than 500 million square feet of commercial property across the world since 2013.
One Centre Square is the first building in Middlesbrough to receive a Platinum rating. There is only one other in the North East and, of the 384 buildings and developments assessed in London, just 16% have been awarded the highest level of certification.
Centre Square developer Mark Ashall said WiredScore’s assessment was another indication of the standards achieved by the project, which has already been nominated for a number of prestigious architecture awards.
“We set out to create a high-quality office working environment which provides all the features a modern occupier wants, including sustainability, flexibility, energy efficiency, space efficiency as well as excellent connectivity,” he said.
Centre Square’s occupiers will not only have the most reliable of connections when they move in. The building’s digital infrastructure has been designed to cope with the increase in future demand for secure access to data.
Measures to ensure companies can still carry on working in the event a major incident, such as a fire or a flood, have also been provided.
Two climate controlled underground universal communications chambers – housing equipment and cable intakes – have been built on different sides of the building. If connections are disrupted to one, the second one provides a seamless back up.
The Centre Square project was launched five years ago after the influential think-tank Centre for Cities concluded that Middlesbrough town centre needed Grade A offices to attract large companies offering well-paid jobs which, in turn, would have a beneficial impact on the local economy.
In July Two Centre Square, a three-storey 35,000 sq ft office building, was completed. One Centre Square followed two months later. It is bigger – 60,000 sq ft over four storeys – with a large space for a restaurant/café on the ground floor.
Both buildings have been shortlisted for the inaugural Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards which recognise the built environment’s “positive and transformational contribution to society”.
They have also been nominated in the British Council of Offices’ best Commercial Workplace Award.
Photo © Kristen McCluskie Photography
A local print boss has invested time, energy and money to turn his company ‘green’.
Paul Walker, managing director at family-owned Symbol Display, has revolutionised the way his company operates to make it one of the best digital print manufacturing facilities in the region.
The major changes have resulted in significant cost savings for customers and an incredible 80% reduction in waste materials and energy costs.
It began with the purchase of the company’s new HQ at North Road in central Middlesbrough.
Symbol has transformed the once tired old building into a modern manufacturing plant that boasts some of the largest digital printers and cutters in the UK.
Paul said: “It’s taken a significant investment and a lot of hard work to achieve our goal, to produce high quality large format digital print right here on Teesside.
“There are very few companies able to complete work on this scale, to this quality, on such a wide range of materials, and this latest investment – moving from screen printing to digital – means when I hand over the reins to my children I’ll know I did everything I could to future-proof the company, making Symbol cleaner and greener.”
Digital printing is far better for the environment than traditional screen methods as it does away with the need for chemicals, screens and exposed inks. This makes it safer for staff and the environment. There is also considerably less waste material, which helps to reduce landfill.
The new technology means customers can print on demand rather than having to print in high volumes, resulting in significant cost savings and allowing Symbol to carry out work for companies of all sizes, across a wide range of industries.
Symbol received support from Tees Valley Business Compass to meet the costs of the new equipment and Paul says without the funding his business would have struggled to take what’s been a huge step forward.
“If it wasn’t for the funding we received from Tees Valley Business Compass, the printer
would still be on our wish list and we wouldn’t be where we are now, producing bespoke large format print for customers all over the country while doing our bit to save the planet,” he added.
As well as large format print jobs, Symbol is using the new equipment to produce thousands of Hazchem labels each year – a contract the company has fulfilled for three decades on its now retired screen printers.
The labels are used around the world to identify hazardous substances in tankers and containers, so in the event of a fire or a spillage, firefighters can take effective action to avert any risk to health and minimise damage to the environment.
Those labels are now being digitally printed on robust material that can withstand even the harshest of conditions, meaning they last longer and need replacing less often, another way Symbol is helping industry to reduce its waste as well as saving time and money.
A local print boss has invested time, energy and money to turn his company ‘green’.
Paul Walker, managing director at family-owned Symbol Display, has revolutionised the way his company operates to make it one of the best digital print manufacturing facilities in the region.
The major changes have resulted in significant cost savings for customers and an incredible 80% reduction in waste materials and energy costs.
It began with the purchase of the company’s new HQ at North Road in central Middlesbrough.
Symbol has transformed the once tired old building into a modern manufacturing plant that boasts some of the largest digital printers and cutters in the UK.
Paul said: “It’s taken a significant investment and a lot of hard work to achieve our goal, to produce high quality large format digital print right here on Teesside.
“There are very few companies able to complete work on this scale, to this quality, on such a wide range of materials, and this latest investment – moving from screen printing to digital – means when I hand over the reins to my children I’ll know I did everything I could to future-proof the company, making Symbol cleaner and greener.”
Digital printing is far better for the environment than traditional screen methods as it does away with the need for chemicals, screens and exposed inks. This makes it safer for staff and the environment. There is also considerably less waste material, which helps to reduce landfill.
The new technology means customers can print on demand rather than having to print in high volumes, resulting in significant cost savings and allowing Symbol to carry out work for companies of all sizes, across a wide range of industries.
Symbol received support from Tees Valley Business Compass to meet the costs of the new equipment and Paul says without the funding his business would have struggled to take what’s been a huge step forward.
“If it wasn’t for the funding we received from Tees Valley Business Compass, the printer
would still be on our wish list and we wouldn’t be where we are now, producing bespoke large format print for customers all over the country while doing our bit to save the planet,” he added.
As well as large format print jobs, Symbol is using the new equipment to produce thousands of Hazchem labels each year – a contract the company has fulfilled for three decades on its now retired screen printers.
The labels are used around the world to identify hazardous substances in tankers and containers, so in the event of a fire or a spillage, firefighters can take effective action to avert any risk to health and minimise damage to the environment.
Those labels are now being digitally printed on robust material that can withstand even the harshest of conditions, meaning they last longer and need replacing less often, another way Symbol is helping industry to reduce its waste as well as saving time and money.
Centre Square, a project to revitalise Middlesbrough town centre and kick start the area’s economy, is in contention for a number of prestigious awards.
Both of Centre Square’s buildings – One and Two Centre Square – have been nominated in the inaugural Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Social Impact Awards which recognise the built environment’s “positive and transformational contribution to society”.
Meanwhile judges from the British Council for Offices (BCO) have been on a fact-finding visit to Middlesbrough after One and Two Centre Square were nominated for best Commercial Workplace Award.
Tony Hordon, chairman of the BCO Awards 2020, said: “In order to win, projects need to stand out in a world class field. The winners need to get everything just right – and then surprise with something extra.”
The Centre Square project was launched five years ago by developer Mark Ashall after the influential think-tank Centre for Cities concluded that Middlesbrough town centre needed Grade A offices to attract large companies offering well-paid jobs which, in turn, would have a beneficial impact on the local economy.
In July Two Centre Square, a three-storey 35,000 sq ft office building, was completed. One Centre Square followed two months later. It is bigger – 60,000 sq ft over four storeys – with a large space for a restaurant/café on the ground floor.
“The aim was to create buildings which have a stunning visual impact, but also provide high-quality space that is adaptable, economic and sustainable,” said Mr Ashall of Ashall Projects. “Employees are a business’ greatest asset – and that was our starting point. Above all we wanted to deliver a great working environment where people want to work.”
He added: “We are delighted with the endorsement from two sets of judges. It underlines our ambition to create the very best, capable of attracting business and employees to Middlesbrough.” Sarah Sabin – director of Seymour Architecture, the architects for Centre Square – said: “Since both buildings were completed they have had a positive impact upon the town centre and the local community, attracting great comments from local residents and businesses as well as receiving strong interest from prospective tenants.
“It is very pleasing to know that they have been so well received and even the reaction of the visiting judging committees was rewarding to see. Industry recognition in the form of an award would be the icing on the cake.”
The project has already had a major impact on the Tees Valley economy. All of the workforce involved in construction worked within 25 miles of the centre of Middlesbrough. New jobs were created and an estimated £5.5m was spent with local businesses. Negotiations are on-going with a number of potential occupiers and the results will be announced in the near future.
The regional final of the RICS Social Impact Award takes place on 1 May in Newcastle. The national Grand Final is in London in September. The Northern Awards dinner for the BCO Regional Innovation Award is held next month in Manchester. All regional winners compete at the National Awards dinner in London in October.
Pictured: Two Centre Square – © Kristen McCluskie Photography
This month, PD Ports will welcome some of country’s most successful exporting businesses to the region as it hosts the Northern Powerhouse Export Awards for the fourth consecutive year.
Owners and operators of Teesport, PD Ports, has backed the awards, which seek to recognise and celebrate the entrepreneurial exporters from across the Northern Powerhouse, since they launched in 2016.
Supported by key sponsors, HSBC, Teesside University and Teesside International Airport, this year the awards will take place in Tees Valley, something the port operator has long-championed.
“I’m delighted to see the Northern Powerhouse Export Awards come to the Tees Valley, home to Teesport, one of the UK’s busiest and most progressive ports and a wealth of vibrant and innovative businesses operating across global markets.
“As the only consistent net exporting region in the UK, it makes sense to shine the spotlight on our great exporting businesses from the heart of the Tees Valley,” said Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO.
“As a maritime nation, the UK has a long and proud history of international trade. Our ports and maritime industries have been the backbone of our country’s global trading power. Across the Northern Powerhouse we are seeing increasing levels of activity to ensure that trading power is equally balanced.
“In the last ten years we have secured over £1 billion of investments at Teesport, creating in excess of 2,500 jobs in the Tees Valley as a direct result, all of which deliver real value to the Tees Valley and our ability to be more competitive globally.”
The awards were created by UMi in 2016 to recognise the North’s top exporters and celebrate their achievements in international trade, whilst also giving inspiration to others to consider exporting as a realistic opportunity for growth.
UMi Chief Executive, Nicki Clark, said: “The level of nominees and calibre of businesses are clear evidence of the ambition and global competitiveness that already exist across the North. But there’s much more to be done.
“The Northern Powerhouse Export campaign provides inspiration and easy access to help in order to expand business’ horizons beyond the shores of the UK.”
Over 400 exporters, partners and intermediaries will attend the Northern Powerhouse Export Awards, which take place on Thursday 19th March at Teesside International Airport.
PD Ports welcomes the announcement of an additional UK hub port added to the successful Unifeeder Teesport – Europe service launched in 2018.
The service, introduced in August 2018, connecting Teesport with Dunkerque and Antwerp will now call at London Gateway as part of the existing weekly rotation.
Kim Catterick, PD Ports’ General Manager – Key Accounts, said: “Short-sea services are the lifeblood of our ports and our valued partnership with Unifeeder offers more routes for customers in and out of Europe and into the UK.
“Adding additional UK port calls to the existing weekly rotation further supports the flexibility offered to customers shipping goods between the UK and Europe and reduces the need for land transport for cargo.
“We have invested heavily here in the North East and our customers are increasingly searching for routes that offer direct access to their markets. Using Teesport with its excellent road and rail connections, and in particular its well established twice-daily Scottish rail service, opens up the north of England and Scotland; providing cross-channel services linking the Netherlands, Belgium, France and into Germany using road transport.
“We understand that customers want direct access and guaranteed schedules. There has been an increasing demand to move away from the congestion at some of the major European and UK ports and using Teesport, along with our other locations means we can partner with companies offering solutions that work for both the UK and mainland European customers.”
Teesside’s shipping community has appointed senior business leaders from two of the region’s most successful port facilities to represent the industry.
Gary Dawson, AV Dawson managing director and Garry O’Malley, Redcar Bulk Terminal (RBT) managing director take on the chair and vice chair roles for the industry body, the Tees and Hartlepool Port Users Association (THPUA).
Dawson takes over the reins from former chair, Stuart Brookes, ConocoPhillips, whom he has supported as vice chair for the last two years.
Dawson and O’Malley bring a wealth of experience to their new roles; both from the perspective of their roles as senior business leaders but also the businesses they represent. AV Dawson and RBT are both successful port facilities on the Tees that have been going from strength to strength; each has recently made announcements of major investments and new contract wins. Both business leaders also bring expertise and contacts through their involvement in supporting international businesses import and export a wide range of cargoes through the Tees.
Garry O’Malley, THPUA vice chair said: “The THPUA is a long established organisation with a huge heritage and a strong membership today that includes the entire shipping industry supply chain from port operators to agents and pilots, through to Teesside’s industry heavyweights that use the river including British Steel, ConocoPhillips, Huntsman Polyurethanes, ICL Boulby, Stobart Energy and SABIC.
“I’m really proud to be at the helm of such an established, well regarded membership group. I’m looking forward to working with Gary Dawson and continuing in the good work that he and Stuart Brookes have started over the last two years to reinvigorate this group and work with all our members, the Statutory Harbour Authority, government and international contacts to promote trade on the Tees.”
Gary Dawson, THPUA chair said: “The Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen has been very open in his views about the River Tees, the importance of industry on the river and how critical it is to the future success of the region. He is keen to work together with the THPUA to increase river trade and thereby improve the region’s economy. This is therefore a fantastic opportunity for us to work more collaboratively with the Mayor and the Statutory Harbour Authority PD Teesport for the greater good of the river and the region.”
High quality offices which have benefited from a £500,000 refurbishment are ready for new occupiers.
A number of units, ranging from 333 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft, are now available at Eggleston Court in Riverside Park, Middlesbrough.
The refurbishment was carried out on behalf of the new owners Blue Bell Asset Management and joint letting agents Dodds Brown and Connect Property North East are marketing the offices. Dodds Brown’s senior associate Richard Wilson is urging local businesses, which are looking to move or grow, to take a look.
“The work has been carried out to a very high standard and, for people not familiar with the area, Eggleston Court is in an excellent location on Riverside Park, one of Middlesbrough’s premier business parks,” he said. There are partitioned offices on the ground and first floors, breakout areas, a kitchenette and toilets, suspended ceilings and LED lighting. Durham Tees Valley Airport is 11 miles away and Middlesbrough station is a five minute drive from Eggleston Court, which also has easy access to the A66 and provides generous on site car parking.
“There is a shortage of high-quality office space in the area and – at £7.50 per sq ft – Eggleston Court provides excellent rental value. There is also an option to buy,” said Mr Wilson of the Middlesbrough-based letting and managing agents.
For more about Eggleston Court, visit the Dodds Brown website.
Plans for a £62m Teesside housing project have been given the go-ahead.
Located in Middlesbrough, the plans consist of the construction of 350 mixed tenure two to four bedroomed homes to be built on a 29 acre site, adjacent to The James Cook University Hospital in the Brackenhoe area of the town.
Galliford Try Partnerships North acquired the site from Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough College, with the developer having also recruited partners for the project.
Thirteen will take 100 homes – 78 for affordable rent and 22 for shared ownership, whilst Sigma Capital will offer 80 properties through its Simple Life private rental brand. The remaining 170 homes will be for open market sale through Galliford Try’s housebuilding division, Linden Homes.
“This is an exciting venture for the area; it’s something different, offering homes for a variety of tenures, including new build homes for private rent,” said Sean Egan, managing director with Galliford Try Partnerships North.
“We are delighted that Thirteen and Sigma Capital are ready to join us on this initiative, which we have worked hard, for many months, to bring together. Securing two such specialists gives us confidence that this would be a very important addition to Middlesbrough’s housing offer – helping meet the need for homes of all tenures.”
