NEWS
Roof with a view – Causeway ’ s Charlie Pickering on top of One Centre Square with Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston and the council ’ s director of regeneration Richard Horniman .
A home win for Boro
Vision – work will start on Boho Village early in 2021 .
Charlie Pickering , chief technology officer , Causeway
“ Middlesbrough was the obvious choice due to the strong local talent pool , the close proximity of numerous universities – all of which offer leading computing degrees – and the tenacious work ethic that comes naturally to Teessiders .”
significantly expand its operations , with Middlesbrough becoming its Centre of Engineering Excellence .
Firstsource will take three floors of the striking One Centre Square . The 10-year deal will see the firm occupy 40,000 of the building ’ s 60,000 sq ft as part of an overall development of 210,000 sq ft .
The expansion has been made possible thanks in part to funding provided by the Tees Valley mayor and combined authority .
Already employing about 90 people in Middlesbrough , XPS Pensions Group is committed to growing its presence in the area by creating further jobs in its new offices .
XPS chose Centre Square following a regional search both for the quality of development and the burgeoning potential of the surrounding environment .
Mayor Preston added : “ Middlesbrough ’ s becoming a much braver and more ambitious town . What we ’ re going to do is start challenging cities like Newcastle and Leeds for investment and success .
“ Middlesbrough is turning the corner and , with so many new homes coming too , our town centre is being transformed .
“ We ’ re delivering some of the best office space in the whole of the north , and it ’ s great to see companies like GBB , Firstsource , Causeway and XPS recognising the potential here .”
Steve Deutsch , CEO , GBB
“ Middlesbrough has a reputation as a hotbed for digital tech innovation , making it a natural fit . Centre Square is a hugely impressive building and will make a great base for the team .”
David Watkins , managing director , XPS Administration
“ We are delighted to be a part of this gamechanging scheme and are looking forward to creating a firstclass environment for our staff and the opportunity to further grow our business in Middlesbrough .”
An exciting urban living development will see modern new homes appear in central Middlesbrough before the end of 2021 .
Plans have been finalised for Boho Village , a development of 61 homes for rent at affordable prices between the town ’ s thriving Boho digital zone and the Transporter Bridge .
Comprising 45 modular apartments and 16 houses of up to three storeys , work is set to get under way early in 2021 . Boho Village is the result of a partnership between the council ’ s development trading arm , Middlesbrough Development Company , and Middlesbrough-based development firm Bright Ideas .
Contractors on the £ 5m-plus scheme will use local labour and suppliers .
Mayor Andy Preston said : “ It ’ s one of my stated aims to get more people living in and around the centre of Middlesbrough , boosting the economy with more business for shops , cafes , bars and restaurants .
“ The plan is for an exciting mix of retail , leisure and high-quality living spaces that will encourage ever-increasing numbers to live and spend time in and around a vibrant town centre over the next few years .”
Tony Dodds , managing director of Middlesbrough Development Company , said : “ This is an exciting development project as it ’ s not only bringing new life to a brownfield site in an area that ’ s in urgent need of regeneration but utilises innovative design solutions and modern methods of construction .”
Middlesbrough Council is working on several exciting housing schemes around the town centre , totalling around 500 homes – a mixture of homes for sale and rent – with private developers working on a similar number .
“ Between council-led and private sector schemes , it ’ s realistic that homes for 2,000 residents will be either completed or under construction around the centre of the town within the next two years ,” added mayor Preston .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 65