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.”

Plans for a state-of-the-art Middlesbrough snow centre, which could create 350 jobs, have been given a £250,000 boost by Tees Valley Combined Authority.

The indoor snow and leisure centre will consist of two ski slopes with an ice wall, trampoline park, climbing walls, a play area for children, indoor skydiving centre and retail facilities.

Located on a site between Temenos and Middlesbrough College, Middlehaven, it is expected to create 350 jobs and attract 2.25million visitors per year. Support from the Combined Authority, which has also included almost £4million in funding for a bridge to unlock the site, reflects the important role that the centre will play within the Tees Valley’s plans to grow the tourism economy.

Cool Runnings (NE) Ltd, who lodged the plans, have chosen Ice Factor Group, based in Scotland, to operate the new facility.

Construction is expected to begin in autumn with the £30million snow centre open to the public from September 2019.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Cool Runnings came to us for extra financial support to get the project over the line, so I am pleased to sign off this funding today.

“This project will be massive for Boro. The snow centre gives us a real chance to enrich the leisure landscape of the area while boosting the local economy.

“It is a win-win for the area, will aid the regeneration of Middlehaven, create jobs, and will give people from across the North a reason to visit and spend money in Middlesbrough.”

Cool Runnings director Rachael Howson said: “We are delighted that the Combined Authority has awarded us this funding which is essential for our plans to go ahead.

“We are excited to now get moving with our plans to give Middlesbrough the world-class facility it deserves.”

Dave Budd, Tees Valley cabinet member for culture and Mayor of Middlesbrough said: “This must-visit centre will mean skiers in the region have the option to hit the slopes closer to home. Given the success of similar attractions, I have no doubt the centre will be booming.

“Thanks to its job creation and rejuvenation potential, the scheme will undoubtedly have a positive knock-on effect. The wider area will benefit as visitors from across the Tees Valley and further afield pour in.”

To pave the way for the work on the snow centre, the Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council are working together to deliver a state-of-the-art road crossing to Middlehaven.

The £10million project, which secured almost £4million of funding from the Combined Authority, will unlock the site while easing congestion on the A66 trunk route. It is due to be completed in the summer.

Tees Valley employers working in key sectors are being encouraged to recruit for an apprentice through a new grant scheme which aims to further establish the area as an innovative region for apprenticeship growth.

Apprenticeship Support for Employers (ASE) is provided by Tees Valley Combined Authority and offers excellent opportunities for employers in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, chemical and process, and digital and creative, to grow and develop their workforce. It is designed to assist employers committed to creating a new apprenticeship or progressing an existing apprentice onto a higher level.

Several companies have already taken advantage of the support, welcoming new apprentices to their teams over the past couple of months.

Working closely with training providers, they will provide a valuable experience for their apprentices who will become the future generation of skilled workers in Tees Valley.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Now more than ever we need more of the skills that local businesses are crying out for. We are committed to increasing routes to great careers but we recognise employers need support. We are launching this funding scheme to address shortage by specifically targeting the sectors of our economy which have the highest growth potential.

“Tees Valley has a strong track record of encouraging apprenticeships, with recent growth far higher than national rates. I want to build on this success, and urge businesses to come forward and work with us so that we can invest in developing home-grown talent.”

The £1.3million scheme has been created following the previously successful Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE), devolved to the Combined Authority in 2016, which approved applications to support more than 1,000 apprentices.

It is hoped the new scheme will have an even greater impact by specifically focussing on growing skills and employment in key sectors that have been highlighted in Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan.

These key sectors have been identified as; advanced manufacturing, process, chemicals and energy, logistics, health and biologics, digital and creative, culture and leisure and business and professional services.

Tees Valley employers in these sectors can apply for one of two grants.

Grant A

A grant of £2,500 per apprentice for small to medium businesses (under 250 employees) from priority sectors who employ an apprentice aged 19+.

or

Grant B

An initial grant of £500 per apprentice for small businesses (under 50 employees) who employ and apprentice aged 19-24 with an additional £500 if the apprentice is still employed after 13 months.

The Fork in the Road eatery is celebrating its first 12 months in operation, during which the charity-funded Teesside restaurant employed 15 local people plus 12 prisoners, provided works experience to 30 long-term unemployed and put 30 more through a training course.

Unique in the North East, the Middlesbrough eatery opened on Christmas Eve last year, funded by Teesside-based parent charity CEO Sleepout with additional financial support from Public Health England.

It is run by experienced catering professionals who mentor trainees looking for a second chance in life, including ex-offenders, those in recovery from addiction and the long-term unemployed.

Based on the town’s Linthorpe Road in previously empty premises once famed as the home of popular toy shop Romer Parrish, The Fork in the Road has given employment of varying lengths to 12 men from local prison, HMP Kirklevington Grange.

One, a prisoner called Joe, works six days a week at the restaurant and has impressed enough to be appointed trainee manager whilst still serving the final year of his sentence.

The restaurant also launched The Fork in the Road Academy in conjunction with Stockton Riverside College, with 30 long-term unemployed local people taking a course covering food hygiene, first aid and other skills designed to help them find work.

Many of the students have enjoyed works experience at The Fork in the Road, including Jemma Hill. Having been long-term unemployed, Jemma was referred to the Fork’s training academy by her local Job Centre and has now been employed as a waitress at the restaurant for six months.

The restaurant currently employs 15 local people, 40% of whom were previously jobless, and it’s planned to increase this figure to 60% during the first few months of 2018.

CEO Sleepout chairman Andy Preston, who also managed the restaurant before handing over the reins to Matty Hynes, said: “We can definitely call The Fork in the Road’s first year a success.

“It’s been stressful and hard work but very satisfying too. We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received from the public, who have welcomed what is a unique concept that goes way beyond any other restaurant.

“The food started great and continues to improve, the place looks great and we’ve even extended it, with the recent launch of the 30-seat Marquee Room for private hire, which means we can now seat up to 100 diners.

“We’ve even made a tiny profit, which isn’t to be sneezed at for the first year of any restaurant.”

CEO Sleepout organises fundraising events across the country that have seen more than 1,500 business leaders sleep rough at venues such as Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium, Eaglescliffe’s Preston Park Museum, Wembley Stadium, The Oval, Emirates Old Trafford and St James’ Park.

Much of the funds have gone towards supporting the work of The Fork in the Road, which Andy says can now look forward to 2018 with confidence.

“I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved in our first 12 months in operation,” said the Middlesbrough-born businessman and charity leader.

“We’ve helped so many people who otherwise faced a real uphill struggle to get training and work opportunities.

“Naturally, making Joe our trainee manager while he’s still serving a sentence is a stand-out success, while another man, Dave, took time out on his first day of freedom for several years to thank us for helping to rebuild his life.

“Along with Stockton Riverside College, we’ve formed a unique partnership with HMP Kirklevington Grange, and we’re even now working with them to take produce from the prison gardens, so they should become a major supplier next year.

“Our waitress Jemma is also another fantastic example of how The Fork in the Road can help to transform people’s lives, as she has shone when given an opportunity through our academy.

“I’m really excited about the year ahead, so would ask people to please continue supporting our project and everything we’re trying to achieve. We really are a place of great food, ambiance and opportunity.”

The final touches are currently being made to Middlesbrough’s new Premier Inn, providing a welcome boost to local employment and bringing 35 full-time jobs to the town.

Built by local property developer, Jomast, the affordable hotel sits on the site of a former car park, alongside the existing Jury’s Inn hotel and Unite buildings on Wilson Street in the centre of Middlesbrough.

The development, which is due to open its doors in March 2018, heralds a new phase of regeneration in the town, and it has been confirmed that it will be recruiting for various roles over the next few months.

Matt Aubrey, acquisition manager at Premier Inn, said: “This is a fantastic location and the hotel will offer customers excellent quality and a greater choice.”

The new Premier Inn is part of the UK’s largest hotel chain, at more locations than any other hotel chain in the UK with rooms starting at £35 for a family room for four.

The ground floor of the building consists of the reception area, a restaurant and bar and a number of bedrooms with the remaining floors each having a similar layout of 16 bedrooms, with a total of 83-rooms in the building.

All bedrooms will showcase the company’s latest high-spec, modern design with a 40″ flat screen TV, a luxury king-size Hypnos® bed, a choice of pillows, free WiFi and self-service check-in facilities.

Adam Hearld, Development Director at Jomast said “The addition of the new Premier Inn will have a significant impact in transforming central Middlesbrough and the surrounding area, as well as providing employment for many local residents.

“The new development is in a fantastic location and will certainly help boost visitor numbers to the area as it provides affordable access to some of Middlesbrough’s attractions.”

The news follows a string of successful regeneration projects in 2017 from Jomast in Middlesbrough and the surrounding areas, including the recent announcement that it is to renovate parts of Albert Road.

A Middlesbrough-based manufacturer and supplier of performance sportswear is set to unlock its growth potential, as a result of its longstanding partnership with Tees Valley Business Compass.

GRN Sportswear, a sports clothing company specifically for the cycling, triathlon and athletic wear markets, is aiming to secure £10,000 worth of funding through Business Compass in order to boost its brand awareness and branch out from its Tees Valley roots.

The funding and business support will allow the firm to attend major trade shows, such as The Cycle Show, the UK’s largest cycling trade show.

GRN manufactures its products using ethically sourced, sustainable recycled materials, including plastic bottles and abandoned fishing nets. Established in 2014 by Directors Rob Webbon and Peter Lillie, the firm is committed to and supports UK manufacturing, with all of its technical products made in Britain.

Business Compass has supported GRN since 2016, as it helped source a suitable location for the business when Rob and Peter focused all their efforts into the business and went full-time, having worked part-time on the venture since 2014.

The pair were put in touch with Growth Consultant, Neil MacGillivray, who assisted with the relocation to Teesside University’s Victoria Building, and later through the funding process.

Peter Lillie, Director of GRN Sportswear, said: “GRN has grown and developed so much in only three years and the guidance and advice along the way has been instrumental to our progression. The ultimate aim is to develop the manufacturing process strictly within Tees Valley, utilising local supply chains and sourcing goods within the UK, as we look to reduce our own carbon footprint.

“Neil and the Business Compass team have been big supporters of GRN and the backing has allowed us to think differently and focus solely on growing the business. The additional support through the funding will hopefully allow us to take the next step and branch out of our traditional Tees Valley roots by amplifying the GRN brand to more audiences so we can tap into different markets.”

The support available for companies through Tees Valley Business Compass, the local growth hub, comes from an investment of more than £9.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), secured by Tees Valley Combined Authority. Support is available for growth, along with projects that increase broadband connectivity, research and development, innovation, and energy efficiency.

Neil MacGillivray, Growth Consultant at the Tees Valley Business Compass, said: “GRN is a unique Tees Valley business, which is committed to reducing carbon footprints through the production of sustainable sportswear. The cycling and health and fitness markets have grown considerably in recent years, given the region and country’s involvement in high profile sporting events, and GRN’s unique offering is capitalising on this perfectly. “It has been a pleasure to work with Rob, Peter and the team to assist with the development of a great idea, fuelled by passion for sport and fitness, and support their business journey.”

Patisserie Valerie are excited to announce the first birthday of their Middlesbrough store.

The high-end brand opened their first store in Middlesbrough on 15th November 2016 following several requests from their loyal customers to set up shop in this busy location.

The store is located within Middlesbrough Debenhams on Newport Road, in Middlesbrough’s town centre. The opening of this hugely popular store in 2016, not only celebrated Patisserie Valerie’s continued partnership with esteemed brand Debenhams, but was also an advantageous step towards the brand’s goal of opening 20 new stores annually.

The Middlesbrough store has grown from strength to strength over the last year; the store staff priding themselves on their continued delivery of delicious patisserie and generously indulgent gateau slices for customers to enjoy. With such an amazing start, Patisserie Valerie are very excited to celebrate the store’s birthday and look forward to welcoming existing and new customers into this café!

A flavour of France arrived in Middlesbrough when Bistrot Pierre opened last week (Friday 22 September).

The restaurant, located in the important Albert Road area near the Town Hall Centre Square area, has the proud distinction of being the first bistrot in the North East.

It promises to offer something for everyone, from a two-course Prix fixe lunch and a two course Pre théâtre menu to the evening À la carte menu. There are also gluten-free dishes and a children’s menu, which comes with an activity pack.

Seating more than 140 diners, the bistrot will be open seven days a week serving lunch and dinner, and breakfast at weekends.

The bistrot is creating 50 new jobs in the town, across all areas of the restaurant.

Middlesbrough Council – along with a number of other support agencies – has supported Bistrot Pierre with its recruitment plans.

The council helped co-ordinate the relevant agencies to ensure the appropriate support was on hand to put recruitment plans quickly in place and ensure local residents received every opportunity to take up the new positions.

Middlesbrough Council is making sure the latest addition to the town’s cosmopolitan offer has all the help it needs when looking for the best local talent.

Bistrot Pierre will bring a touch of Gallic style to the important Albert Road area near the Town Hall Centre Square area when it opens in September.

The new continental-style eaterie will offer great value French food in a relaxed setting, and is the latest in a string of high-profile new arrivals giving town centre a new lease of life.

The restaurant will create 50 new jobs in the town, with vacancies open across all areas in the restaurant.

Middlesbrough Council – along with a number of other support agencies – is delighted to be able to support Bistrot Pierre with its recruitment plans.

The Council has helped co-ordinate the relevant agencies to ensure the appropriate support is on hand to put recruitment plans quickly in place and ensure local residents receive every opportunity to take up the new positions.

Middlesbrough Job Centre and the National Careers Service are providing support to residents to apply for the positions and help prepare their CVs.

Middlesbrough College is also providing support to the restaurant, linking their recent trainees and offering the Bistrot the opportunity to use their fully equipped training kitchens for interview sessions.

Bistrot Pierre General Manager Salvatore Savino said: “We are proud that the Bistrot Pierre family is growing and that we are creating job opportunities locally in a number of front and back of house roles.

“I’ve been part of the team at Bistrot Pierre since 1996, starting out as a part-time waiter in the Derby restaurant, it’s been a fantastic place to progress my career.

“We are looking for staff in all areas so if you think you have what it takes to join our ever-growing team please visit our website and apply, we’d love to hear from you.”

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Centre Strategy, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bistrot Pierre to Middlesbrough at an exciting point in the town’s history.

“There’s a real sense of confidence ambition across the town centre, with new investment like this adding to a vibrant, cosmopolitan offer.

“The impact on the local economy is huge, and for local people there are the sort of job opportunities that can be truly life changing.”

Middlesbrough’s eagerly-awaited French restaurant will open its doors later this year creating 50 new jobs in the town.

Situated in Albert Road, Bistrot Pierre’ new restaurant will have capacity to seat more than 200 diners in the restaurant and traditionally Parisian styled outdoor terrace seating.

The independently-owned restaurant group offers great value French bistrot food such as our bestselling Boeuf bourguignon maison, Côte de porc and, of course, steak-frites.

Rob Beacham, co-owner for Bistrot Pierre, who started the business with school friend, John Whitehead, said: “Middlesbrough is an ideal location for us to open a new bistrot; we’re really excited about bringing our great value French cooking to the town as it will be the first restaurant we have opened in the North East.

“The city-centre premises which will be transformed into a beautifully-styled French bistrot and we can’t wait to open our doors in September.

“I’m confident we’ll grow a loyal customer base in the area thanks to our popular seasonal menus which use the freshest ingredients and are carefully-prepared by our talented chefs daily.”

The popular lunchtime prix-fixe menu will be available seven days a week with prices from just £9.95 / £11.95 / £13.95 for one, two or three courses, as well as the two-course pre theatre menu which both change monthly. An A la carte menu is also available which changes seasonally.

Rob added: “Bistrot Pierre offers something for everyone, it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends and family, enjoy a romantic meal and treat the children. Our Menu Enfant offers our younger diners a two-course meal and soft drink for just £6.50 and comes with a 12-page hand drawn children’s activity pack to keep little ones entertained.

“We are proud that the Bistrot Pierre family is growing and that we are creating job opportunities locally in a number of front and back of house roles.”

Bistrot Pierre recently launched its loyalty app Mon Pierre Rewards, whereby customers earn points for every pound spent within each restaurant.

For more information about Bistrot Pierre and to view job vacancies visit www.bistrotpierre.co.uk/join-our-team