Cutting edge tech companies are flocking to the Enterprise Zone at the heart of Middlesbrough’s historic quarter.
The zone – centred on the thriving Boho digital cluster – offers digital companies looking to locate and expand in the area the opportunity to qualify for rate relief for up to five years.
Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter Enterprise Zone – which also covers the new Albert North development – is one of 12 Enterprise Zones in the Tees Valley.
Companies demonstrating that they belong to the digital/creative technology sector and providing information on how the business intends to grow over the next five years are eligible to apply.
Enterprise Zones are part of the government’s Industrial Strategy aiming to support business growth across the country.
Each Zone is unique, building on the strengths its area to support industries such as manufacturing, emerging technology and renewable energy.
Animmersion – one of the original tenants in the ground-breaking Boho One – quickly established itself in the world of animation going on to become one of the leading UK digital interactive service providers.
Founded by Teesside University Graduates Dominic Lusardi and Sam Harrison in 2006, the company continues to expand.
Animmersion Director Dominic Lusardi said: “From start-up to scale-up Middlesbrough has proved itself to be the perfect location to grow our business.
“Middlesbrough is now recognised as a fast-growing UK digital tech hot spot,
“With the benefit of the Enterprise Zone status and ongoing support from Middlesbrough Council, Teesside University, Digital City and the Combined Authority, this rich digital cluster can only continue to expand.”
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for City Centre Strategy, said: “Our Boho zone digital entrepreneurs are the 21st Century equivalents of Bolckow and Vaughan, and that’s the kind of ambition and vision that is setting Middlesbrough apart.
“The Enterprise Zone is an important lever in attracting inward investment and new employment to Middlesbrough, supporting our existing digital base and paving the way for the next generation.”
- For contact details and an application form visit the Digital page.
The Zetland Hotel located in Middlesbrough’s historic quarter, has utilised funds from Tees Valley Business Compass to bring the hotel up to date.
With the area set to become a hub of activity, with the likes of the Kings Cross direct link, it was essential that the hotel was brought into the 21st century.
This was no easy task to complete, aligning the old with the new, and ensuring the Grade II listed building could be brought up to date to provide all the services the modern commuter expects.
High-speed internet connectivity had not previously been possible without a large outlay, following discussions with Middlesbrough Council and Communicate Technology PLC, the cost burden was lessened by the owners accessing the Tees Valley Business Compass Broadband voucher scheme. The scheme gives claimants access to 33% of funding towards improving business broadband speed to a minimum of 30 mbps.
Communicate PLC, based in Wynyard, provides, installs and maintains IT, Telecoms, Cloud-based services and Cyber Security products and services to businesses across the UK, were commissioned to deliver the specialist work.
“We love getting involved in local projects and helping businesses in the area. It’s so important that businesses have the right internet connectivity to match users’ expectations.
“The Tees Valley Business Compass Broadband Voucher Scheme is brilliant, improving business broadband has never been so easy, it’s a simple process and accessible to so many. There really isn’t an excuse to not provide high-speed internet connectivity,” explains Tony Snaith, Communicate Technology’s CEO.
Co-owner of The Zetland Hotel, Philip Christie said: “It’s been really exciting to renovate The Zetland Hotel, uncovering its architectural hidden gems. However, we knew that despite its historic importance, we needed to bring it bang up to date, and high speed connectivity was key. We engaged Communicate to plan, install and set up the technology into the building and provide Wi-Fi access points.
“We’re very excited for the future. There’s so much new development happening around us, with the Albert North development and the Middlesbrough to King’s Cross direct link. Communicate has ensured that we can satisfy modern expectations from our customers, by giving them the connectivity they need for their meetings.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This news couldn’t have come at a better time. We’re netting world-class, big-ticket events across Tees Valley which will help boost overnight stays, but we’re also shouting to investors, companies and executives that we’re a great place to do business. It’s fantastic that The Zetland Hotel has recognised that business travellers and visitors alike demand the best in high-speed connectivity and taken the initiative to do something about it.
“Business Compass’s Broadband Voucher scheme is another string to its bow and shows that whatever support our local firms need, they are more than capable of helping. I’d urge any local firms to make the most of this valuable scheme we’ve put together.”
Lisa Gowler, Business Growth Consultant, Tees Valley Business Compass: “It’s fantastic to see what’s happening in this area in Middlesbrough. We’re pleased we’ve been able to support The Zetland to improve their business broadband and we’re looking forward to watching them grow and establish their hotel in the Historic Quarter.”
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for City Centre Strategy, said: “We’ve made great strides in the last few years to establish Middlesbrough as the city heart of the Tees Valley and the Historic Quarter is a key part of this ambition.
“The Zetland is just one of a number of important late 19th century buildings that have a significant part to play in the regeneration of this area.
“The Council has supported Philip and Joanne to realise their vision from the outset ensuring they were connected to the relevant business support agencies and guided by our conservation and planning teams.
“The finished restaurant and brasserie is simply outstanding – we will continue to work with Philip and Joanne to ensure they have a successful future in Middlesbrough.”
Pictured: (L-R) Emily Bentley, Tony Snaith, Philip Christie, Joanne Christie, Lisa Gowler, and Debbie Ingoldsby
Middlesbrough’s Grade A office development is already benefiting the local economy by more than £1m – before they have even been completed.
The Centre Square project, which will bring thousands of jobs to Middlesbrough’s city centre, is currently seeing the first two brand new office blocks being built. The scheme is being delivered by Ashall Projects.
Both buildings are on target and are expected to be complete by the end of the summer.
During construction, however, builders Bowmer and Kirkland have endeavoured to utilise local labour and the local supply chain.
Currently they have 27% of labour from within a five-mile radius and 57% from with a 20-mile radius.
The company have also reported that almost £1.15m has been spent directly within the local supply chain.
Cllr Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Centre Strategy, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see these figures from Bowmer and Kirkland.
“Whenever a major construction project like this takes place, we are often asked if we will be using local labour for the build.
“Due to the nature of the construction business that isn’t always possible, however it’s great to see that the majority of the labour is local.
“These new Grade A offices are one of the most important projects in Middlesbrough in memory and will bring thousands of jobs into our city centre.
“Those workers will then spend locally on leisure and retail which will in turn create more jobs.
“It is an economic circle to the top and when those Teessiders working on the offices walk through Middlesbrough’s city centre in five years’ time, they’ll be able to look around at a completely transformed city economy and say “we did this”.”
Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Projects said: “It is really important to ensure we are facilitating construction spend at a local where possible. These numbers showcase exactly that which is brilliant.
“We remain on track with the development programme and look forward to seeing the first two buildings come to fruition.”
PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port operators, has been officially accredited with the internationally recognised quality mark of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) for its operations at Teesport by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) affirming the Port’s efficient and robust processes to shippers worldwide.
The accreditation recognises that a business’ customs controls and procedures are efficient and meet EU benchmarks.
Within the Northern Powerhouse, Teesport has become the first port to gain AEO status. It was awarded following a 12-month internal review process that culminated in an audit from the HMRC to ensure all port operational processes, IT, security, storage, procurement and HR procedures met with strict requirements.
Frans Calje, Chief Executive Officer at PD Ports, commented: “Gaining AEO accreditation reinforces the strength of our commitment to shippers currently using Teesport or looking to the Port as an integral part of their supply chain and is a solid vote of confidence in the high standard of our port operations.
“This will deliver some distinct benefits to many of our AEO accredited customers including greater access to priority clearance of cargoes, reduced administration, traceability of flows of goods and improved security between supply chain partners. There is much focus, in the light of Brexit, on the customs clearance of goods. AEO accreditation puts us on the front foot in making the movement of cargoes through Teesport as simple as possible.
“Delivering high quality, consistent and sustainable service levels to our customers has been instrumental in our decision to gain AEO accreditation across other parts of our business including our short sea ports located on the Humber, logistics and transport operations as well as our freight forwarding and customs clearance activities.”
A high-tech new tenant is joining a vibrant new business community in central Middlesbrough.
Fast-growing e-commerce business Salesfire becomes the latest tenant of the vibrant Albert North development.
Launched in 2017, the company provides businesses with solutions to help websites increase their sales.
They will join Mabo Media, Keystage Recruitment, Working Links and Hays Recruitment in 16/26 Albert Road, taking 5,000 sq ft of modern bespoke space.
Tenants of Albert North receive a number of perks, including high-speed broadband, rent and rate incentives, free public health initiatives for all staff and a city centre loyalty card with exclusive discounts and incentives.
Salesfire CEO Richard Himsworth said: “We’ve grown dramatically over the past six months, more than trebling in size with a team of 23 full-time employees.
“Outgrowing our current premises, we needed somewhere which could cope with our ambitions for further growth.
“Our move to Albert Road is a fantastic opportunity, allowing us the space to expand further in an area that’s regenerating and becoming home to many other successful businesses.”
The multi-million-pound regeneration project, which lies on the main thoroughfare of the town, is being driven by local property developers Jomast in partnership with Middlesbrough Council.
Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director at Jomast, said: “The latest letting to Salesfire means that 20,000 sq ft of space has now been taken up at Albert North in under six months which is some achievement and great for the town.”
The development is part of a wider strategy to drive business investment to Middlesbrough’s city centre, and will also include a food and beverage offer, with the announcement of a vegan café to open this year. Alkaline Kitchen is due to open in January, serving a 100% plant-based menu from Monday to Saturday.
The strategy also includes significant investment to the rail station and the development of Grade A office space on Centre Square.
Michelle McPhee, City Centre Manager at Middlesbrough Council, said: “We’re thrilled that businesses are already responding positively to the offer at Albert North.
“The development will further entice creative and digital businesses to move into the centre of Middlesbrough, complementing our already thriving digital sector based in the Boho Zone.
“Providing suitable office space to a wide variety of businesses is a key component of our strategy to create vibrant city centre in Middlesbrough, in addition to further developing our retail and leisure sectors.”
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Deputy Mayor and Executive member for City Centre Strategy, said: “Albert North is the latest phase of the ambitious plans we have for our city centre.
“A thriving business community is key to a prosperous future for Middlesbrough and the wider city region, and we will continue to work with a range of partners to deliver a vibrant environment for enterprise.”
For more information on Albert North, visit their website.
A ten-year plan to transform the economy of the Tees Valley has been approved by the Tees Valley Mayor and the Leaders of the region’s five councils today (24 January).
The Tees Valley Combined Authority’s refreshed investment plan outlines how £588million worth of spending between 2019-2029 will support the creation of 16,785 jobs and an additional £1.48billion to the area’s economic output.
The Tees Valley Investment Plan sets out how our economy will be transformed through major investments across six key themes including: transport; education, employment and skills; business growth; culture and tourism; research, development and innovation; investment in our towns and communities.
It outlines how £146.5million will be used to support business growth and unlock sites for development. This includes the purchase of the majority of developable land at the South Tees Development Corporation site.
The investment plan, which supports the delivery of the Combined Authority’s Strategic Economic Plan and was first launched in March 2017, includes £20million for a major transformational project based in each of the five Local Authority boroughs, and an Indigenous Growth Fund of £50million to improve and revitalise towns and communities.
And it approves the Combined Authority’s purchase, from Peel Holdings Limited, of 89% shareholding in Teesside International Airport and an adjacent piece of land with planning permission for 350 homes for a total of £40million. The Mayor today confirmed that the proposed housing development will not progress.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and each of the five Local Authority Leaders voted to support the refreshed investment plan at a specially convened meeting of the Combined Authority’s Cabinet, in Middlesbrough, today.
DigitalCity is recruiting Tees Valley-based digital and technology innovators to its first Fellowship Accelerator Programme of 2019.
DigitalCity Fellows benefit from a programme of workshops and bespoke mentoring, as well as a grant of up to £5,000.The programme is designed for early-stage businesses who have been trading for less than 12 months.
Led by Teesside University in partnership with the Tees Valley Combined Authority and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), DigitalCity has been responsible for helping to create some of the region’s most successful companies.
As the wider sectors continue to embrace digital technology, the diversity of the businesses DigitalCity supports is expanding. The most recent programme included companies providing digital solutions to problems in the areas of health and end of life care, live music and space technology.
Scott Watson, DigitalCity Cluster Innovation Manager said: “Through the Fellowship Accelerator we support the exciting digital start-ups coming out of the Tees Valley. We’re particularly interested in working with businesses that are involved in transforming traditional sectors with their digital and tech skills. We’re also keen to work with innovators who are commercialising an idea, product or service that they want to develop to seek further investment.”
DigitalCity was acknowledged as one of the key drivers of digital growth in the Tees Valley when Middlesbrough was listed in the Tech Nation 2018 report as being in the vanguard of the UK’s burgeoning digital and hi-tech economy.
Its work on the digital transformation of Tees Valley businesses was also recognised with the ‘Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of The Year’ at the 2018 Times Higher Education Leadership & Management Awards (THELMA).
The Fellowship Accelerator Programme will be delivered in Boho 5 on Bridge Street East, Middlesbrough, from February – April 2019.
Deadline for applications to the Fellowship Accelerator Programme is 4.00pm on Friday 1 February. If you are interested in applying please call Scott Watson on: 01642 738694 or Email: scott.watson@tees.ac.uk
Ever wondered how to do business with Middlesbrough Council?
Invest Middlesbrough is hosting a How to do Business with Middlesbrough Council event in partnership with the Council’s procurement team on Thursday, January 17 from 9.30am to noon.
The event at Middlesbrough Town Hall will feature a short presentation highlighting the best way to engage with Middlesbrough Council’s procurement team.
Attendees will hear details of upcoming contracts, and the presentation will be followed by an informal market-style networking session.
The North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) will be on hand to help businesses understand how to access the NE procurement portal, and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and North East of England Chamber of Commerce (NEECC) will attend to offer support and guidance.
Representatives from TeesAMP (Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park), Middlesbrough Council’s Housing Growth and Civic Centre office development project teams will also be available to discuss the latest supply chain opportunities.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said: “A vibrant city centre economy relies on a buoyant business sector, and one of our key roles is to act as a catalyst for local enterprise and jobs.
“This event is fantastic opportunity for local businesses to engage in one-to-one discussions with support agencies, Middlesbrough Council procurement officers and project managers to understand how to get involved with the supply chain.
“It’s also a great networking opportunity, so I hope as many businesses as possible will come along, and make the most of the opportunities that are opening up across Middlesbrough.”
The procurement event will follow the latest Invest Middlesbrough Breakfast Exchange which is now fully booked.
For further information contact Lucy Mason 01642 728325.
It’s all about customer service, experience, promotion and adapting to new trends and markets, if you want to succeed as an independent retailer in 2019 and beyond, according the manager of one of the region’s most successful indoor markets.
Small independents can provide a level of service and an in-store experience that cannot be replicated on-line, says David Harris, Manager at Middlesbrough’s Dundas Market which has had to reorganise and increase the retail space on offer to respond to demand and interest for its business units.
“It’s not all doom and gloom for retail in 2019. In town centres, with the right support from landlords and councils, there is still a bright future for independent retailers, but they have to work hard to stand out,” says Mr Harris.
“A personalised approach, special events, workshops, community spaces, new products and services based on customer feedback, each coupled with great service, add to the value which independent retailers offer,” he says.
“It’s positive face-to-face customer interaction which makes people return time and again. For example in Dundas Market, at his family butchers Danny provides cooking times and tips to help customers get the best of out of his produce and keep them coming back.
“At the Little Vegan Market, Matthew and Charlotte pass on their in-depth knowledge of new vegan products and tips for a vegan and zero waste lifestyle. They are so good at this that they were shortlisted for best Small Business in the prestigious national Vegan Food UK Awards 2018 only six months after opening.
“The Little Vegan Market has also helped our most established tenant Jean’s Kitchen, the café at the heart of Dundas Market, to adapt to the fast emerging market for vegan food, by working with them to create an everyday vegan menu to add their offer.
“Interstellar Comics, a long-standing market tenant, moved into one of our shop units last year and has created a focal point for the area’s gaming community by providing gaming tables and encouraging gamers to visit the shop and play for free during weekend and evening sessions.”
According to Mr Harris, promotion, especially on social media, is also key to success. “A good social media presence extends the customer experience and provides further interaction, as well as alerting customers to new products and offers from the business,” he says.
“At Dundas Market we promote all our retailers and service providers via Facebook and Twitter, but we find that those who also have a strong presence in their own right are most likely to have a broad customer base. It is a vital part of modern retailing.”
Teesside shipping and logistics giant, AV Dawson has secured a three year extension to support British Steel’s steel rolling operations at its Special Profiles facility in Skinningrove and at its Teesside Beam Mill in Lackenby.
The Middlesbrough based business, which has operated on-site logistics on the sites for over five years for British Steel has secured a three year extension to manage on-site operations strengthening the on-going partnership between the two firms.
The new deal, which has come on the back of significant safety investments, secures the jobs of over 70 employees and creates a further 12 new roles. AV Dawson’s on-site services play an integral role within the team at British Steel Lackenby and Skinningrove. The team carry out a variety of jobs including, de-scaling machinery, on site logistics support, managing the recycling and waste solutions and carrying out the deep cleaning operations on-site during shut-downs.
Gary Dawson, AV Dawson managing director said: “We are delighted to have secured a further three year contract with British Steel. Over the past five years we have built a strong partnership with British steel and we have become an integral part of their teams on both sites.
“We can provide a number of onsite logistics services on our customers’ own sites, enabling them to increase efficiency by bringing in a specialist with specific expertise and equipment. This ranges from stevedoring, shunting and stock management to the full onsite logistics support we provide for British Steel.
“As a business, we continuously look at ways in which we can improve and expand our services for our customers by offering increased safety and productivity levels. Our recent investment illustrates our commitment to the long term partnership we have with British Steel.
“Safety is AV Dawson’s number one value; we place much emphasis on Health and Safety on a practical level, every day. Both our onsite teams at Skinningrove and Lackenby along with our wider Health and Safety team work very closely with British Steel to promote good practice.
“AV Dawson remains a professional, willing and engaged partner committed to the continued improvement and development of the safety culture, not only of its own employees but everyone working within the Skinningrove and Lackenby sites”
Neil Olver, AV Dawson head of health, safety and environment said: “We now have a team of over 80 members of staff operating on the British Steel sites, all delivering very high standards in often challenging and high risk working environments. We have recently reached the goal of five years with zero lost time incidents at the Skinningrove site, a milestone that we have already achieved at British Steel Lackenby.
“The nature of the roles carried out at British Steel sites by AV Dawson has potential to have a high accident rate, however due to our health and safety focus these are kept to a minimum. AV Dawson has recently been recognised by British Steel for its commitment to health and safety and was presented with its contractor award for health and safety excellence.”
Matt Stockwell, British Steel’s Teesside Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing to work in partnership with AV Dawson.
“In the last five years AV Dawson has worked with us to provide a flexible solution in terms of resource to cover both our Teesside Service Centre and Teesside Beam Mill operations under one contract. This has been effective and worked well for the teams here serving our customers, it’s also brought efficiencies with it too. This is one of the reasons why we’ve renewed the contract with them.
“On top of that, AV Dawson’s commitment to health and safety is proven by their marked safety performance improvement over the years. They’ve not had a lost time injury during the five-year period of transition at Teesside and, without a doubt, that’s contributed significantly to helping our mill operations maintaining Gold RoSPA Award three years running.”
