Middlesbrough has been named the country’s best value place for workers to rent.
Research by jobs site Adzuna looked at data on average salaries and rental costs around the UK.
It found that rent in Middlesbrough accounted for just one-fifth (20.7%) of the average worker’s payslip.
Average take-home pay after rent in Middlesbrough is the highest in the country at £1,738.
Cllr Theo Furness, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Regeneration, said: “This research is beneficial for businesses as it allows them to show potential employees how far their money will go.
“These messages are really positive for recruitment and retention of staff which is an increasingly competitive area.
“The analysis is also useful for us as a town as we look to secure more investment and entice more firms to base themselves here.”
Alongside its affordability, Middlesbrough boasts strong travel connectivity with improving air and rail links and established road and port access.
The town is on the edge of stunning countryside and close to sought-after coastal towns.
Adzuna’s research also found that Middlesbrough was the only place assessed where wage growth (+13.4%) has outpaced rent increases (+7.8%) over the past year.
Sunderland, Bradford, Belfast and Preston made up the top five best value places.
The Office for National Statistics has previously classed renting as affordable if it costs the equivalent of 30% or less of a person’s income.
Adzuna analysed its own data on average salaries across one million vacancies in November 2023 and compared them to the average rental prices shown on Zoopla.
Durham Lifting, a renowned name in the lifting solutions industry, has reached a historic milestone with Amanda and Paul Gardiner, boasting a collective experience of 70 years, taking full ownership of the business. This 100% acquisition marks a generational shift in leadership, solidifying the Gardiners’ dedication to propelling Durham Lifting to unprecedented heights of innovation and service.
Paul Gardiner, a qualified Design Engineer with expertise in technical aspects and visionary business development, has been instrumental in driving Durham Lifting’s technological edge. His proficiency in proof load testing, installation, and design has not only ensured the company’s continued success but has also set industry benchmarks. Paul’s foresight and commitment to excellence have been key drivers in positioning Durham Lifting as a leader in the lifting solutions market.
Amanda Gardiner’s 35-year tenure at the helm of Durham Lifting has seen the company achieve a multi-million-pound turnover and launch the international brand Multisec® in 2020. Multisec’s globally acclaimed products, manufactured in the Northeast of England, underscore Amanda’s foresight and the collective effort of the Durham Lifting team.
Amanda Gardiner expressed her pride, stating, “Taking full ownership of Durham Lifting is a proud moment for us, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We’re ready to lead Durham Lifting into a future filled with innovation, growth, and continued success.”
Paul Gardiner also shared his enthusiasm for the new chapter, “with a bright future ahead, we are dedicated to building a team with the technical ability to support the growth of the lifting equipment industry to meet future challenges”.
The recent investment in a 3000-tonne testing machine and the expansion of testing facilities are pivotal components of Durham Lifting’s growth strategy and positions the company to tackle more significant and challenging projects, enhancing its portfolio and reputation in the market.
In essence, the expansion of Durham Lifting’s testing facilities under the Gardiner family ownership signals the company’s upward trajectory, shaping it not just as a business success story but as a pioneering force in the lifting industry. The Gardiners’ families journey stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership, inspiring not just their team but the entire industry.
Amanda reflects on their journey, stating, “Our story is proof that with the right vision and dedication, any goal is attainable. We hope to inspire not just our team but the entire industry.”
Durham Lifting’s motto, “We do it right” perfectly encapsulates their ethos, and with plans for further growth and investment, the company is poised for even greater heights. This promises not only success for Durham Lifting but also a lasting impact on the lifting industry.
For more information about Durham Lifting, please visit: durhamlifting.co.uk
A Middlesbrough-based company specialising in critical power infrastructure and data centres has illustrated ongoing growth by doubling the size of its headquarters.
And Durata’s new unit will include an Innovation Centre designed specifically to host potential clients from all around the world and welcome students from schools and colleges to learn more about a career in engineering.
As well as recently opening its first overseas office in Frankfurt, Germany, the proud Teesside firm has added Unit 3 to an existing Unit 2 base at the Tees AMP Business Park on Wilfred Whitfield Way.
The extra 6,331sq ft space means Durata will have approaching 10,000sq ft to operate from on Teesside alone when the building refurbishment is completed.
Durata’s Managing Director John McGee said: “These are exciting times for Durata. As well as working around the world, we now feel it is time to bring the world to us here on Teesside too.
“We are extremely happy here on Teesside and even though we could have our main base anywhere else in the world where we have projects, we firmly believe staying here is the right thing to do.
“We are from Middlesbrough, born and brought up here, and we wouldn’t want to move elsewhere. This expansion highlights what the area where we are from means to us and we believe there is a very supportive business network in this area too.”
Work will begin on putting the Durata stamp on Unit 3 in the new year. As well as the trademark blue and white colours and Innovation Centre, there will be a new meeting room to discuss the design and project process.
There will be a work area created to include a demo modular building, kitted out to showcase how Durata can help in terms of creating a modular data centre, microgrid, battery storage, or other ways of meeting customer requirements globally.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “It’s great news that a brilliant Middlesbrough business like Durata is committing its future to our town.
“Durata continues to lead the way and put Middlesbrough on the map in its specialism.
“The plans for the Innovation Centre sound really exciting and it’s a credit to everyone at Durata that the firm is looking to create inspirational learning opportunities for our young people.”
And Durata’s Quality Director Alison McGee said: “As a team we spent a lot of time developing our offer into a comprehensive and concise marketing strategy.
“Our head of modular data centre projects, Lewis Cobb, is already bringing huge industry players to Middlesbrough to talk to them about modular buildings, for example, and our new Innovation Centre will provide the perfect place to enhance that tour.
“As well as highlighting Teesside’s industrial heritage and explaining how our free port can help logistically, we can show them somewhere tangible where our modulars are manufactured and demonstrate to them how we will deliver.”
In the last year alone Durata’s workforce has grown from 20 to 35 employees, including key management appointments, and year-on-year multi-million-pound turnover increases are set for record levels this year.
Despite working on projects in many corners of the world, such as South Africa and the Middle East, as well as Germany and other parts of Europe, Durata wants to enhance its supply chain across Teesside too.
Alison said: “We use local suppliers wherever possible and 90 per cent of our engineers are from this area, despite contracts that are stretching to the UAE and beyond. We do this by shipping out from the excellent Teesside facilities. We want everyone to know how Teesside has such a part to play in the digital age.”
For further information check out duratauk.com
A new gaming paradise boasting cutting edge equipment is the latest venue helping to transform Captain Cook Square into a leading leisure destination.
The Wired Lobby is Middlesbrough’s first esports venue and builds on the town’s growing reputation as a digital hotspot.
The Mayor of Middlesbrough Chris Cooke, himself an avid gamer, attended a launch event before the venue officially opened.
Visitors to The Wired Lobby – whether novices or gaming experts – can enjoy state-of-the-art PCs, the latest consoles and an impressive, full-size car racing simulator.
The venue also features an arena to host live events and esports tournaments which will pit competitive gaming teams against one another on a raised stage, while it has a full bar and offers a range of membership options.
A spokesman for The Wired Lobby said: “We cater to every gamer’s dream to go beyond the traditional gaming experience with a fleet of high-performance PCs, the latest generation gaming consoles and cutting-edge racing simulators.
“Middlesbrough is the perfect location for The Wired Lobby and whether you’re new to gaming or a seasoned pro, we can’t wait to welcome you.”
Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Middlesbrough has a thriving digital sector. We are home to world-beating digital firms – including highly recognised video game producers – and at Teesside University, we produce the industry leaders of tomorrow.
“I’m delighted that The Wired Lobby has opened and wish it every success. New businesses like this one are key to attracting more and more people into our town centre.”
Middlesbrough Council is spearheading multi-million-pound plans for Captain Cook Square after it was successful in securing £14.1m in funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, which in part is helping to repurpose the square and attract a host of leisure and entertainment venues.
Earlier this year, Level X became the first exciting new firm to open in the square, bringing innovative electric karting, bowling, electronic mini-golf and Virtual Reality gaming to Middlesbrough.
Next year, new restaurant Bazaar – from the owner of the acclaimed The Oven restaurant on Linthorpe Road – will open across the square from The Wired Lobby, while a boutique cinema and more food and drink outlets are planned for other vacant units.
The development is part of the council’s attempts to rebalance the town centre economy by focusing on leisure, education and housing alongside traditional retail.
The plan is to get more people living, working, learning and playing in the town centre.
To find out more about The Wired Lobby and what it offers, visit its website.
A programme has been launched offering easy-to-understand guidance and support for businesses on their way to Net Zero.
The Tees Valley Net Zero programme offers fully funded consultancy support and up to £2,000 in grant funding for firms – as well as online tools and regular webinars and workshops.
The scheme is delivered by Decerna on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, and is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
It includes expert guidance from Net Zero Advisors and Technical Specialists via online and in-person Net Zero consultations.
Firms will also be able to access information 24/7 through a suite of online tools and resources, including access to a new web-based tool that will generate a Carbon Reduction Plan for businesses.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our businesses in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are some of the finest in the country.
“We’re the UK’s capital for Net Zero and its only right we use our talents and share this knowledge with our own brilliant companies. Going greener is a reality facing everyone. This programme will help demystify some of the jargon around Net Zero and make it easier for our great firms to flourish in this brave new world.”
Siobhan McArdle, Chair of the Tees Valley Business Board, added: “One of the Business Board’s key areas of focus is Clean Green Growth – and we want to support the Tees Valley business community in its journey to Net Zero so that we ensure clean growth is at the core of business in Tees Valley. An initial focus and imperative for the Business Board, has been the removal of the ridiculous hoops hardworking firms have historically had to jump through to access vital grant funding.
“As we heard in our recent Business Engagement workshops, more streamlined, timely and pragmatic business support programmes, such as this one, that really deliver for business, are key to moving forwards and I would urge business leaders to sign up to get the technical support they need to adopt new practices, to achieve and wherever possible monetise, carbon savings.”
Bookings are still open for a programme masterclass on 18 January.
To find out more about these and the wider programme, go to: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/net-zero-support
A café which has served up traditional tasty food for nearly a quarter of a century will be able to cater for even more hungry Teessiders after the completion of an expansion.
Over the years members of staff at Jean’s Kitchen, the cornerstone of Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market, have gone above and beyond to help their community and customers.
They have run get-togethers for the town’s older residents, taken regulars out on their birthdays, supported them at funerals and during COVID – when the café was closed – cooked meals in their own kitchens and delivered them to their homes.
Forty-five-year-old manager Louise Matthews, who started work in the café when she was just 16, even did one customer’s washing because his local laundrette was shut.
Louise has also raised thousands of pounds for local charities, finishing two London Marathons and six Great North Runs.
Jean Hall arrived at the indoor market just after it opened in 1990. The first Jean’s Kitchen was a sandwich bar she ran with her mum, sister and niece. She bought the café nine years later and said it too has a family feel.
Together Jean, Louise and their team of seven have worked in the café for almost 140 years and even at the aged of 69 the boss has no plans to put up her feet
“I love my job. We’ve got some lovely customers. Some of them have come from day one,” said Jean. “We’re like one big family so you don’t mind coming in for work. We’ve got a lovely atmosphere here. That’s what special about this place.”
The bigger café is coming just in time as Jean’s Kitchen continues to be busy despite a difficult time for Middlesbrough town centre. “We were worried when the big shops closed, particularly Marks & Spencer, but honestly we’re still doing well,” she said.
“Over the years you find what sells and what doesn’t. We’ve tried different things but it’s always been simple English food like mince and dumplings, parmos, egg and chips and toasties. I supposed it’s a bit old fashioned but it works and there aren’t many places in Middlesbrough that do it now. I don’t know how many cafes have closed. Loads have come and gone.”
Jean’s customers have included Middlesbrough first team coach Jonathan Woodgate and Olympic sprinter Richard Kilty – both fans of her mince and dumplings.
The work on Jean’s Kitchen is one of a number of developments at the Dundas Indoor Market. Another long-term occupier Nicole Bean is opening a second shop and visitors will notice new signage and branding. There are also improvements to the underground car park serving the market and Dundas Shopping Centre, which has welcomed a new business. The Brickyard Bakery is the brainchild of Ed Hamilton-Trewhitt who will be selling affordable artisan bread, pastries and savouries and at the same time providing training for young people who he hopes will have a bright future in baking.
Dundas Indoor Market Manager David Harris said: “These are exciting times here and it’s great that it’s all happening in time to welcome people in the run up to Christmas. Jean and her team are shining examples of both how to run a business successfully over so many years and how important it us for to help members of our community, particularly when times are tough.”
Construction of a new state-of-the-art £12m education and training centre at Middlesbrough College is right on track to be completed next year.
Work only started on the new TTE Technical centre in May of this year, but has already progressed apace.
All ground works on the 3,000 sq m facility have been completed and the steel frame for the two-storey building has also been finished, right on schedule.
The new facility is on course to open for the next academic year in September 2024.
Once complete, the centre will train over 300 full-time students, 300 apprentices and 500 adults each year, alongside a thriving international cohort of students.
Its facilities will include facilities will include seven large multifunction/multidiscipline workshops, seven breakout classrooms and study spaces, a large Conference Room and staff workspaces and a range of student social and welfare areas.
Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College Group, said: “We’re delighted to see the excellent progress which has been made on the new centre.
“It’s been fantastic to come in every day and see the facility taking shape and it’s terrific to know that everything is on schedule for it to be unveiled for the 2024/25 academic year.
“The new centre will further enhance the already extensive STEM offer at our campus in Middlehaven and cement Middlesbrough College Group’s status as one of the UK’s largest Engineering training providers in the country.”
This month marks the 15th year that Middlesbrough College Group has been on its Middlehaven site.
During that time, the College’s facilities and estate have grown substantially with additions including the opening of its £10m STEM centre in 2015 and subsequent expansion of the centre, a £10m sixth form centre, a purpose-built University Centre and the opening of its £4.5m Digital Centre in 2021.
The campus at Middlehaven is now home to over £120m worth of buildings and facilities, an expansion which has been matched by Middlesbrough College’s ever-increasing range of courses and qualifications.
Across the different arms of the Middlesbrough College Group, which includes training provider TTE Technical and apprenticeships specialist Northern Skills, more than 10,000 students take part in education and training ranging from part time skills courses to full-time degrees.
Enrolment for the current academic year is still going on, although time is running out for people to register for their next learning journey.
Places are still available on most courses. This includes full-time course routes including A Levels, T Levels, Vocational courses and Apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds in subjects such as sport, travel & tourism, catering, construction, health & social care.
The College also offers Access to HE Diploma courses which are part-time one-year courses for those who wish to return to study and potentially change their career. These courses are a gateway into higher education for those wanting to study a degree who don’t have A Levels or a Level 3 qualification.
Places are also still available on Higher Education courses which are offered through The Open University.
These include Foundation Degrees and Degrees in subjects such as media, hospitality & catering, audio visual technology, sport and fitness and health & care.
Former Middlesbrough College students have gone on to achieve amazing careers in an array of different fields.
Ben Emery studied Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment with Middlesbrough College in 2020 and achieved the highest grades possible.
He then progressed to University to study for a degree in Civil Engineering. Ben graduated this summer with a first-class honours classification and has started his new Trainee Project Manager role with Gateshead-based Meldrum Group.
Ben said: “I really enjoyed studying at Middlesbrough College. The course provided me with an excellent foundation and understanding of the industry which has helped me during my degree.
“The course was practical and hands-on, and the assignments provided me with everything I needed to progress to the next level.
“I was set up so well for University and because of that I didn’t have to do a foundation year for my degree.”
Online retailers, MarTech agencies and eCommerce experts will gather at The Belfry Hotel & Resort on Tuesday 19th September for the inaugural Salesfire Summit and on Wednesday 20th September for The Endeavour Partnership Golf Cup.
Following numerous successful networking events, Salesfire will host its first Trends, Strategy and Innovation Conference to expand attendees’ industry knowledge and connections.
The SaaS company has announced a line-up of strategy sessions, presentations and actionable tips from BigCommerce, Bidnamic, Proof3, Visualsoft, Fluid Commerce, Circus PPC and REVIEWS.io.
Attendees can also look forward to a retailer panel featuring Moss, Moda in Pelle and Runrug, as well as talks from Journey Further and The Social Co.
Joe Turner, Co-Founder and Head of Business Development at Proof3, said, “We are delighted to sponsor and present at Salesfire’s inaugural conference. With shared goals of making positive change for our client’s businesses, we believe this event will provide the eCommerce industry with the means to innovate and grow.”
On the following day, Salesfire will once again host their well-established networking day at The Belfry for golf enthusiasts.
Nik Tunley, Partner at The Endeavour Partnership, said “The Endeavour Partnership has fostered a strong professional relationship with Salesfire for several years. Our participation in the annual golf day has become a much anticipated highlight each year, so we are thrilled to have the privilege of sponsoring this year’s event in its new format. We are looking forward to meeting the participants and taking part in what is expected to be another great event.”
Rich Himsworth, CEO of Salesfire, commented on the inclusive two-day event:
“As a team, we are always striving to improve and elaborate on our offering to the wider eCommerce community. To begin with, this took the form of our annual golf day, an event designed to foster meaningful connections within the sector.
“This year, we’re proud to include the launch of the Salesfire Summit in our events calendar. A conference designed to provide a larger audience with valuable opportunities to learn, strategise and thrive.” There are limited spaces available. For more information and to register your interest for the Salesfire Summit, please visit https://www.salesfire.co.uk/salesfire-conference-2023/.
Firstsource, a global provider of Business Process Management services, has revealed plans to create 150 new roles at its Teesside offices after securing additional work with its banking and financial services clients.
The roles are based in Centre Square in the heart of Middlesborough town centre and will be filled over the next couple of months. They are available at all levels of experience, including both customer service and team leader positions. Firstsource said it provides comprehensive training to make them available to people without any prior experience and develop their skills.
Lisa Corcoran, Director of Operations for the Middlesbrough office, said “We’re looking for people who love interacting with customers, solving problems, and delivering a great service for our customers. These new jobs will be working for some household names in the financial sector, and we’ve plenty of opportunities for people looking to improve their skills or move into different managerial roles to progress their careers. I’m really looking forward to welcoming these new colleagues as they kickstart their career at Firstsource.”
Rajiv Malhotra, Head of Europe, Firstsource, said: “We are growing rapidly in the UK and Middlesbrough is a perfect location. The abundance of office space allows us to scale our business, while the location and facilities are attractive to our clients and employees. Our Middlesbrough operation here has gone from strength to strength.”
Firstsource has highlighted energy efficiency as another major benefit of its move to Centre Square. The new building is helping the company lower its energy bill per sq ft and making a key contribution to companywide Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets.
The Centre Square project was launched six years ago by developer Ashall Projects, in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, after a study found that the town was failing to attract good white collar jobs because of an absence of Grade A office space.
Firstsource shares 1 Centre Square with construction technology specialist Causeway Technologies. GB Bank, XPS Pensions Group, the Frazer-Nash Consultancy and two firms of barristers have all moved into 2 Centre Square. Around 5,000 sq ft remains available for further occupiers.
The third building, 6 Centre Square, is due to be finished early next year and will become home to 450 Middlesbrough staff who work for the insurance giant AXA UK. One floor of the building is still available.
Mark Ashall, the Managing Director of Ashall Projects, said the combination of high quality sustainable and energy efficient space – and its location – has quickly transformed Centre Square into the new hub for professional and business services in the Tees Valley: “I am extremely proud that Centre Square has been such a catalyst for growth during a period which has been extremely challenging for many businesses.
“The companies who have moved there are already going from strength to strength and I believe they will continue to flourish.”
He said there is no better time to consider relocating to new Grade A offices. Not only are they more energy efficient, but the government is likely to implement new rules requiring an upgrade of older commercial buildings to meet higher environmental standards. This could prove very costly to landlords and their business tenants.
As well as the completion of 6 Centre Square Mr Ashall is already looking forward to the next phase of the project.
Middlesbrough Council has given outline planning permission for three further buildings. Ashall Projects is due to provide more details shortly.
For more information contact either Mark Ashall via mark.ashall@ashallproperty.com or commercial property agent Stephen Brown at s.brown@doddsbrown.co.uk
Middlesbrough’s future is changing…
Like many town centres across the country, it can no longer revolve solely around retail. It has to embrace a bigger purpose that includes a stronger leisure offer, a thriving digital sector and urban living.
With hundreds of new homes already being built in the town centre, the Council’s vision is to create an aspirational living offer that supports a vibrant and fast-growing residential community of professionals.
This is something that central Middlesbrough has not had for many generations and is incredibly ambitious. In order to get it right, we need your help, which is why we’re asking for 10 minutes of your time to complete our survey.
We want to know what kind of environment you would like to see in the town centre and what we can do to create the right conditions for you to want to live here.
Please click here to complete our short survey. All data supplied will be confidential.
