NEWS
Keeping it local - Ono Odudu , technical director of BCEGI , with Andy Preston at
Middlesbrough ’ s old Town Hall .
Future – how Boho X will look .
Keeping it local
Work on Boho 8 offices are weeks from completion and they are already let due to Middlesbrough ’ s thriving digital sector , which was founded on the good work of Teesside University . This means new – often multi-millionpound turnover – businesses keep popping up in the town due to intrepid Teesside entrepreneurs .
Following that will be Boho X – a landmark office building to form the centrepiece of Middlesbrough ’ s digital expansion plans and then a new secondary school that has a focus on digital skills .
Five sites have already been declared set for new housing that will see more than 600 new homes built on brownfield land and Middlehaven will also be home to a new community farm , as it was around 150 years ago .
Mayor Preston added : “ Middlesbrough is amazing and it also has challenges . We ’ re facing those issues head on and building a really exciting future .
“ We will not play second fiddle to places like Newcastle . Give us 10 years and we will take them on .”
By the middle of summer , commuters will have a new focal point on their journeys to and from town . The art college will be the start of Middlesbrough ’ s new chapter .
Covid-19 has accelerated the need to futureproof town centres .
Middlesbrough Council is working flat out to force change , build strength in the town ’ s urban core and encourage a resilient and varied town-centre economy .
An international construction giant has promised to prioritise local firms and local labour after agreeing an exciting new partnership with Middlesbrough Council for the rebuilding of the historic heart of the town .
The council will work with BCEGI in the months and years ahead , starting with the ambitious Boho X offices , followed by hundreds of high-quality new homes and a new life for the old Town Hall . BCEGI , a Chinese company with its UK headquarters in Manchester , is committed to keeping jobs and contracts local wherever possible .
The firm will soon get to work on building Boho X – dubbed “ the best office space for 100 miles ” – after planning permission was granted for the creative hub .
Close by , the construction giant will build new homes around the derelict old town hall , which it will bring back to life as a focal point for an indoor and outdoor market .
Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston welcomed the news , saying it was a realistic aim to achieve “ 100 per cent local labour ” for the partnership between the council and construction firm .
“ I ’ m excited about this partnership ,” said mayor Preston . “ BCEGI is a colossal company that is already delivering huge projects such as the £ 1bn Airport City in Manchester .
“ In the coming months and years , many millions of pounds will be invested by BCEGI in the oldest part of Middlesbrough , creating jobs and futures via new offices and homes of all kinds .
“ Way too often local firms lose out on major projects , costing Middlesbrough and Teesside jobs and money . But going forward BCEGI has pledged that local firms will be given priority when tendering , helping to create loads of jobs here .
“ Middlesbrough and Teesside built the world – now our people and firms can help build an exciting new future here .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 87