Site investigations are under way on land where the new £55 million TeesAMP advanced manufacturing park will be located at Middlesbrough.

TeesAMP will offer 180,000sq ft of high quality accommodation across ten buildings in its first phase, with potential for up to 1,000 new jobs.

The work will look into ground conditions which may have been affected by the closeness of the river Tees and the site’s previous industrial use.

Since the early 1900s the site has developed an interesting history – and the latest chapter is set to begin with the launch of the TeesAMP advanced manufacturing park this year.

Property developer Geoff Hogg, one of the people behind the plans, explained: “Parts of the site were reclaimed from the river and built up to form level land to build on.

“There were factory buildings used as the Newport Iron Works and Newport Dry Colour Works as well as railway sidings, off the Darlington and Saltburn Branch so we expect to find remnants of that bygone industrial era.

“One of the legacy materials is slag left over from the steel making process. It is likely that this will be excavated, broken up and mixed with other materials so that it can be reused.

“Levels for the site will be designed so that the amount of material to be removed from site will be minimised – saving many hundreds of wagon trips. We want the build to be as sustainable as possible and this will be a great start.”

Middlesbrough Council is investing almost £12.5 million, with the authority giving the green light to the scheme in December last year.

Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Centre Strategy Councillor Charlie Rooney said: “This is the latest important stage in the creation of a major new addition to Middlesbrough’s economy, and that of the whole Tees Valley.

“TeesAMP is a development of national significance that will deliver long-lasting benefits in terms of jobs, skills, prosperity and further investment.

“It’s great to see such a forward-thinking project gather momentum, and it’s a clear indication of the ambition we have for the future.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We have already invested £7.6 million into this site for remediation and infrastructure works, and the current investigation is another step forward in making these exciting plans a reality.

“When completed, this development will be a further boost to jobs and growth and will draw new and innovative businesses to our area.”

Richard Brown of Dodds Brown, the agents marketing the site, said: “There is a national shortage of high quality buildings for manufacturing businesses.

“TeesAMP will change that – attracting great firms and the jobs they bring.”

The site investigations will involve:

  • 23 boreholes up to 30m deep and three boreholes to 45m deep
  • Samples to test the strength of the ground so that foundations can be designed
  • 30 trial pits and trenches to determine the condition of the ground and investigate if there are any relic structures present from the previous historical land uses
  • Investigations for slag to see if it can be left in place or reprocessed and reused

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has welcomed proposals by Vodafone to help towns and cities attract and retain more graduates to stay, live and work across the region.

Telecoms company Vodafone argues that towns and cities outside London have to be able to compete on a level playing field to attract and retain highly qualified workers who will be at the forefront of Britain’s digital revolution.

Speaking at the launch of the report with Vodafone this morning, Mayor Houchen discussed how he is working to help keep digital talent in the area and attract new companies and individuals.

He said: “Along with our region’s excellent digital sector, I am turning ‘brain drain’ into ‘brain gain’ head-on. This includes robust apprenticeship and skills schemes both announced and in the pipeline to inspire new generations and enhance the expertise of people in work or looking.”

The report includes a number of ‘brain gain’ policy proposals, such as an audit of buildings which could be converted into low-cost offices for digital start-ups, commitment by universities to allow students to use their buildings to start businesses for a year after graduation and allowing Apprenticeship Levy funds to be used for retraining and upskilling returnees.

Mayor Houchen added: “We are rightly proud of our digital firms, which are forward-thinking and engaging with Teesside University and other colleges to help develop home-grown talent vital for future success.

“Middlesbrough’s Boho Zone and new and upcoming research facilities such as the biologics-focussed National Horizons Centre at Darlington’s Central Park are helping change perceptions of our area, helping to attract and retain talent in the future and helping to support this vital growing sector. Ideas outlined in Vodafone’s study will only encourage the industry to bloom.”

The report, titled ‘Brain Gain: How to attract, retain and reconnect digital talent’, commissioned by Vodafone and authored by Steve Hughes, a former Bank of England economist, also highlights the challenge that regions across the country are facing when it comes to keeping hold of their graduates.

Analysing the most recent data (2015/16) from the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA), the study found:

  • Over 100,000 men and women have left the regions they lived and studied within six months of graduating to start work
  • Over 1 in 5 of those graduates (just over 30,000) end up working in London
  • Every region of the country suffers from a ‘brain drain’ of workers with 5,295 – or just over 4 in 10 – taking up jobs outside the North East within six months of graduating

The report – based on a series of in-depth interviews with combined authorities, business groups and digital innovators in Greater Manchester, Tees Valley and the West Midlands – does paint an encouraging picture of ground-breaking digital initiatives across Britain. However, it warns that these regions will struggle to fulfil their digital potential without a ready and available supply of talent.

The paper also says that upgrading the country’s digital infrastructure will be at the heart of encouraging those people to want to live, begin careers and start up their own businesses in these towns and cities. Vodafone recently announced a deal with CityFibre to provide gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to approximately 12 cities, reaching one million homes across the UK by 2021. The company says it will do more, provided a more competitive and simplified policy and regulatory system existed. It urges politicians to create a national full-fibre plan and boost funding for 5G test beds and to force BT to open up its ducts and poles to competitors.

Nick Jeffery, the CEO of Vodafone UK, said: “Tees Valley is ideally placed to be a world leading digital centre. It has a rich industrial heritage and outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators. However, for the region’s towns and cities to realise their full potential, we need to create the right conditions for success: a pool of digital talent, underpinned by infrastructure investment that helps to attract people and businesses who can drive greater economic growth.

“Part of the challenge requires turning the so called ‘brain drain’ of talent into a ‘brain gain’. This must start in schools and continue through to colleges and universities. It also requires getting people to move to the area. Places need to have other pull factors which make them attractive for digital entrepreneurs to locate to the area, for digital companies to flourish and for those on a career break to reconnect with the labour market.”

The leading architect on the masterplan for the historic Middlesbrough Railway Station has told how the design can be a further catalyst for city-scale developments.

Peter Jenkins, Architect Director and Head of Transport Sector at BDP – global leaders in their field – said the proposals would also preserve the history of the iconic Victorian-built station and provide big benefits to passengers.

The proposals are the result of a commission – led by Middlesbrough Council with support from Network Rail, Tees Valley Combined Authority and the rail franchisees – to provide a long-term vision for the rail station and the surrounding area.

Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald are now working alongside the rail industry in the form of a joint programme board to realise both the site’s ambition and strategic potential over the coming years.

Award winning Mr Jenkins, who has been recognised for his work on the major redevelopments of Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly stations, said: “Our designs are focused on celebrating the qualities of the existing station alongside the creation of new facilities to accommodate additional intercity services.

“The fine qualities of the listed buildings and unique activities such as Platform Arts cannot be fully appreciated today and we want to make sure all visitors can understand more of the historic station.

“The forthcoming introduction of direct services to London, and the need for additional platform capacity, are an opportunity to transform the northern aspect of the station which the design intends to benefit from.

“It goes without saying that the Virgin Trains East Coast services will have a transformative effect on the town in terms of the train connections provided.

“Our design aims to unlock further value from this change, with the new platform and canopy structures combined with a new entrance and interchange facility on Bridge Street. This will transform the appearance and identity of the station from Middlehaven, catalysing developments to the north of the station.

“Many station masterplans can lack the impetus to become reality; this is not the case in Middlesbrough, where infrastructure expansion (VTEC services to London) and local support can ensure a successful redevelopment of the station complex, to the benefit of both rail passengers and local residents alike.”

The Middlesbrough concept – which offers short term proposals and a longer term vision – includes:

  • The re-opening of the southern entrance.
  • A stunning new glass frontage and concourse on Bridge Street.
  • An additional platform.
  • New commercial units.
  • Additional passenger facilities and;
  • Improved access for sustainable modes of transport such as buses, taxis, cars and cycles.

It will build upon work which is shortly to be complete in the form of Network Rail’s station renewals project that will see the completion of a 13 month, £3m project to repair the roof and stonework of the main station building.

Additionally, direct trains to London are due to begin from Middlesbrough in 2020.

The BDP plans have already been praised by Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald as fitting “entirely with our European City aspirations” and as an “absolutely breathtakingly impressive proposal”, while Middlesbrough’s Elected Mayor Dave Budd said the plans were now a “central part of Middlesbrough Council’s investment plans to grow the local economy in line with our city scale ambitions”.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has written to Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen confirming a £59million transport fund that is being devolved to the region.

The details of the money, ring fenced for Tees Valley, came as it was announced during the Chancellor’s Spring Statement (March 13) that local authorities in other cities, such as Newcastle and Leeds, have been invited to bid for a piece of Government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

England’s six Metro Mayors have been awarded half of a £1.2billion national pot to deliver transport schemes in their region. Tees Valley’s allocation, to be delivered over the next four years, is based on an equal division per head of population. The other half is open to the rest of the country through a competitive process.

Mr Houchen said: “In the Budget last year the Tees Valley was awarded £59million to transform local public transport. Over the coming weeks I will be setting out our priorities for how this will be spent over the next four years.

“Other towns and cities are being told to bid for cash, but because we have a Metro Mayor, the Tees Valley will be getting a guaranteed pay-out for a much-needed overhaul to our public transport infrastructure.

“The situation for Tees Valley commuters is in no way ideal and this funding will help us drive real change. I want everyone travelling in and around the area to see considerable improvements.”

The Tees Valley Combined Authority has been working alongside bus and rail operators in the area since November 2017 and the Mayor will soon set out the wider transport priorities for the region.

Mr Houchen added: “We are getting ever-closer to delivering our vision for the future of transport in the area. These will be transformative for the region and I will be making some massive announcements in the coming months.”

Councillor Bill Dixon, Cabinet Member for Transport at the Combined Authority, said: “This is a positive step forward for our area. We can use this new investment to deliver our ambitious plans for much-needed upgrades to our local public transport system.

“We’ve been developing plans for some time but now we can start delivering them. This is about improving the daily journeys taken across the Tees Valley, and we will be working closely with communities to ensure we make the maximum impact for our residents and businesses.”

A masterplan to develop the historic Middlesbrough Railway Station into a destination fit for a city – and described as a “game changer” – is unveiled today.

The concept – which offers short term proposals and a longer term vision – includes:

  • The re-opening of the southern entrance.
  • A stunning new glass frontage and concourse on Bridge Street.
  • An additional platform.
  • New commercial units.
  • Additional passenger facilities and;
  • Improved access for sustainable modes of transport such as buses, taxis, cars and cycles.

All of the ongoing design work also aims to protect, enhance and complement the station’s Victorian heritage, beauty and splendour.

The proposals are the result of a commission – led by Middlesbrough Council with support from Network Rail, Tees Valley Combined Authority and the rail franchisees – to provide a long-term vision for the rail station and the surrounding area.

As a result of the commission, Middlesbrough Council and Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald are working alongside the rail industry in the form of a joint programme board to realise both the site’s ambition and strategic potential over the coming years.

It will build upon work which is shortly to be complete in the form of Network Rail’s station renewals project that will see the completion of a 13 month, £3m project to repair the roof and stonework of the main station building.

Additionally, direct trains to London are due to begin from Middlesbrough in 2020.

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “Middlesbrough Railway Station is at the heart of our historic quarter and a central part of Middlesbrough Council’s investment plans to grow the local economy in line with our city scale ambitions.

“These proposals would make our iconic station even more attractive and also make better use of the space inside. Clearly, we are at an early stage, but it is wonderful to be able to make our ambitions public. The projects programme board will now begin action on how we can collaboratively work together to achieve this.”

Mr McDonald said: “The Consultants BDP have done some stunning visionary work that not only sees the station restored to its 19th century splendour including the southern Zetland Road elevation and the improved usage of the concourse and booking hall – much as the architect originally intended when the station as first designed- but transformationally presents a 21st century northern façade out onto Bridge Street that fits entirely with our European City aspirations and opens out into the emerging cityscape of Middlehaven. It’s an absolutely breathtakingly impressive proposal.

“What the entire proposal presents is a 21st century transport hub that is fit for purpose. This will be a game changer for Middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley economy.

“So I heartily congratulate Middlesbrough Council, the Mayor Dave Budd, his fellow Councillors and the superb officers who have driven this initiative forward and for the commitment that the Council has made to secure the achievements to date.”

 

Transport for the North has commenced a thirteen-week consultation on its Strategic Transport Plan for the North, inviting people’s views at an event being held in Tees Valley next Tuesday.

Senior Transport for the North representatives will be visiting Stockton-on-Tees as part of a dedicated session to outline the plan’s recommendations, advise on what this could mean for Tees Valley and the surrounding area and invite questions and feedback that people may have.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We’ve worked in partnership with Transport for the North to deliver a plan that could improve the lives of residents, visitors and businesses across the Tees Valley, and support our work to drive economic growth and improve quality of life.

“I urge people and businesses to have their say and help us to shape and improve the region for generations to come.”

Barry White, CEO, Transport for the North said: “An incredible amount of work has gone into the production of the draft Strategic Transport Plan including collaboration between the public and private sector across the whole of the North.

“The plan is underpinned with a robust evidence base making a compelling case for the investment priorities that would transform the economy of the North and the UK as a whole. I’m delighted that we’re now in a position to share this work with the public and invite their questions and comments. This is crucial to ensuring the plan is fit for purpose and meets the needs and aspirations of those who will benefit from improved infrastructure and economic prosperity, the citizens of the North.

“This is first time transport in the North has been looked at on a pan-northern level offering a unique opportunity for everyone to have their say on what matters to them in their areas.  I’d encourage people to attend the event.”

The drop-in consultation is open to everyone and is an opportunity for members of the public to formally submit their feedback on the plan which will be analysed and fed into the final Strategic Transport Plan before its release later in the year.

The event will be held at The Arc, Stockton-on-Tees, between 4pm – 7pm on Tuesday 6 March.

Event schedule:

4pm – 5pm: Presentation from Transport for the North representative and Q+A

5pm – 6pm: Drop-in Q+A

6pm – 7pm: Presentation from Transport for the North representative and Q+A

The thirty-year plan, which was released in draft on Tuesday 16 January, is the first of its kind and outlines how transport connections across the North of England need to be transformed by 2050 to drive growth and close the economic gap between the North and the rest of England.

Transport for the North’s public consultation runs until 17 April 2018 with similar engagement events taking place across the North. A final version of the plan will be published later in the year and submitted to the Government for ministerial consideration.

Find out more by visiting www.transportforthenorth.com/stp.

Transport for the North – Strategic Transport Plan consultation
Tuesday 6 March
4pm – 7pm
Arc, Stockton-on-Tees

Earlier this month Transport for the North launched their draft Strategic Transport Plan, which sets out how they are going to drive economic growth and create a more successful North through improving transport connections.

For the first time, the North is speaking with one voice on what is a transformational vision for the region. To ensure that the Plan continues to meet the needs of everyone across the North, Transport for the North is now holding a 13-week public consultation.

You are invited to attend one of the consultation events held locally at the Arc in Stockton, where you can find out more about the recommendations and provide feedback that will influence the final Plan before it is submitted to Government later this year.

View a full list of events and more information on the consultation.

You do not need to register for the event but, to help with planning, if you are interested in attending please register your details via the Transport for the North website.

You can also add the event to your calendar.

Middlesbrough’s major economic ambitions have been boosted with it being named one of the Top 10 Small Cities in Europe by the Financial Times.

The high profile listing comes in a report entitled European Cities and Regions of the Future 2018-19 which asks the question “With Europe in flux, which locations have investment potential for the long haul?”

The report has been compiled by an FT supplement – fDi magazine – which looks at potential for foreign direct investment (FDI). Middlesbrough was listed at number nine for small cities in Europe with its strategy to attract foreign investment.

A small city is categorised as having less than 1.5m people.

Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd said: “Middlesbrough has a rich history of industry, innovation and pioneering exploration, and we’re building on that in the 21st Century with a booming city centre economy, burgeoning digital and creative sectors and a thriving University.

“This recognition further underpins our potential for global investment, and marks Middlesbrough out as a beacon of ambition, regeneration and prosperity.

“Not so long ago Boro fans were chanting about Middlesbrough being a ‘small town in Europe’ with our usual self-effacing pride and good humour. It is great to see us now being recognised for our city-scale economic ambitions beyond the UK’s borders.”

Middlesbrough Council’s Investment Prospectus is the central plank of the economic development being seen in the town’s centre – or city heart – which will see the authority invest £74m in order to unlock more than £600m of private inward investment and secure 600 new jobs.

Among the projects happening are the £22.46 million Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park (TAMP) – based on the historic South West Ironmasters site – which is aimed at high productivity cutting edge manufacturing companies looking for a prime location in one of the UK’s key regeneration areas.

Other key projects include the proposed snow centre and the building of five new office blocks to the east of Centre Square to attract 1,500 new jobs and to re-home Middlesbrough Council staff.

Courtney Fingar, fDi Magazine’s editor-in-chief said: “In an ever more competitive global investment landscape and at a time when Europe is moving into a new political chapter with continuing uncertainties, it is equally challenging and important for cities and regions across Europe to bolster their appeal for foreign direct investment.

“fDi Magazine’s rankings are the result of a detailed, in-depth benchmarking exercise to determine the European locations with the brightest prospects for future inward investment. We applaud the success of all cities and regions in these rankings.”

Exciting plans for one of the region’s foremost office developments are set to take a major step forward later this month.

Centre Square is key to an ambitious and wide-ranging regeneration programme which is cementing Middlesbrough’s role as the city heart of the Tees Valley.

Under proposals to be considered by Middlesbrough Council’s Executive, work on the first of a series of Grade A office buildings could start on site this summer, with the second due for completion in the autumn of 2019.

Middlesbrough Council would move its base from the existing Civic Centre to the first of the new buildings, with the second being let to generate a commercial return for the authority.

As part of this, the Civic Centre would be demolished, creating potential for further development on the strategically important site.

A further three buildings outlined for other elements of the eastern end of Centre Square will bring additional major investment to the town centre, with the creation of up to 2,000 jobs and, when fully developed, will generate an estimated £1 million additional annual boost to Town Hall coffers through new business rates.

The scheme has been drawn up in partnership with developers Ashall Projects who had already delivered the highly successful Holiday Inn Express on the western end of Centre Square.

Delivered in phases, the flagship development will deliver around 200,000 sq ft of the sort of state-of-the-art office space sought by high-end employers.

At its meeting on Tuesday, February 20, the Council’s Executive will consider committing to a 35-year lease on the first two buildings, which research has shown will generate a long-term saving compared with retaining and maintaining the existing Civic Centre.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Centre Strategy, said: “Central Middlesbrough is the beating heart of the Tees Valley economy and that’s why it’s vital that we rebalance our commercial and retail offers.

“To achieve that it is essential that we have the accommodation and infrastructure that modern knowledge-intensive businesses tell us they need – and that’s exactly what these proposals will deliver.

“By bringing them to the heart of Middlesbrough, we will ensure not only our continued growth and prosperity, but that of the wider Tees Valley area.

“As part of the development, we will also secure a new administrative base for the Council, replacing a building that is no longer fit for purpose and achieving a long-term saving for local residents.

“We value our staff and want to set Middlesbrough Council apart as an employer of choice.

“A positive working environment can yield significant productivity benefits, as well as retaining highly-skilled staff in our crucial services.

“Even at this early stage we are already receiving considerable interest from potential occupiers, which is a clear indication that demand is there.

“This is yet another project led by Middlesbrough Council that is helping to transform the face of our town, and secure our economic future for generations to come.”

Councillor Nicky Walker, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Finance and Governance, said: “The Civic Centre is now over 50 years old and is no longer fit for purpose for more modern and cost-effective working practices.

“The building will require investment of more than £6 million over the next five years, and over the next 35 years that figure will rise to £20 million.

“By comparison, the proposed relocation – which offers the best value for money of the available options – will result in considerable savings to the Council.”

Over 35 years it is estimated running costs will reduce by a minimum of 20% – saving a total of £2.2m compared with a refurbished Civic Centre.

The new accommodation will be built to a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘excellent’ standard, which can also reduce utility costs by up to 50%.

One of the pioneers of the UK games industry has told North East business leaders that companies must think creatively in order to be successful.

Ian Livingstone CBE, who has launched games including Tomb Raider and Dungeons & Dragons, was speaking at the launch of the latest highly successful Leading Growth programme run by Teesside University.

Leading Growth is a fully funded leadership and management programme designed specifically for SME business leaders in the Tees Valley.

As well as hearing from Ian Livingstone, the event also gave interested SME owners/managers the chance to learn about Leading Growth 2018, which provides a blended approach to learning and includes an overnight experiential, site visits, think tanks with expert facilitators, business coaching and action learning sets.

Ian, who co-founded Games Workshop as well as authoring the Fighting Fantasy books and helping set up computer games company Eidos, spoke to the audience about his career and also the importance of creative subjects in the school curriculum.

He said that while the creative industries and the skills which underpin them are often dismissed by the media as frivolous, or not important, the creative sector is one of the most lucrative sectors of the UK economy and deserves to be treated as such.

He also advised businesses that where possible they should always look to retain control of their intellectual property.

He said: “The value of any businesses is in its IP. The creative economy is where the majority of the value of any company is.”

He added that there needed to be a greater understanding of creative sectors by finance companies. At the same time, many creative companies lack the skills to make themselves investor-ready.

Laura Woods, Director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said: “Ian has had a fantastically successful career, founding a number of extremely innovative and creative businesses.

“He gave some invaluable advice to the SME owners and managers in the audience.

“The Leading Growth programme has been specifically designed for small businesses in order to help them meet the challenges of expanding their business and attracting investment.

“Through our networks and development programmes, we‘re able to give SMEs real practical help in overcoming the obstacles to growth that Ian identified.”

For more information on Leading Growth and the business engagement services offered by Teesside University visit www.tees.ac.uk/theforge