Boost - £ 3m has been set aside for a hydrogen hub masterplan .
UK ’ S FIRST EVER HYDROGEN TRANSPORT HUB SET FOR TEES REGION
The UK ’ s first-ever hydrogen transport hub is one step closer to becoming a reality , with the unveiling of an official masterplan and £ 3m in funding .
A first of its kind , The Transport Hub – being built in Tees Valley – will bring together leading figures from government , industry and academia to focus research , testing and trials across all transport modes as we build back greener from the pandemic .
The hub could be fully operational by 2025 – helping to create up to 5,000 new jobs in the region over the long-term as part of efforts to level up the economy .
By creating real-world hydrogen transport pilots , the establishment of the hub will also help us understand the role hydrogen has in meeting the country ’ s 2050 netzero ambitions , which will inform future investment decisions and prime export
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digital poverty appeal backed by Tees Business to provide laptops and internet connectivity to disadvantaged Teesside pupils has topped £ 100,000 , thanks to generous support from local businesses and philanthropists .
Co-ordinated by Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and supported by the charity ’ s founder , Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston , the appeal kicked off with an initial £ 5,000 donation from Teesport owner PD Ports , the statutory harbour authority for the River Tees .
Nearly £ 81,000 of the sum raised was donated directly to the Philanthropic opportunities .
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said : “ By harnessing the power of hydrogen technology , we have the opportunity to bring long-term prosperity right across the country .
“ The hub will establish the UK as a global leader in hydrogen technology , paving the way for its use across all transport modes and propelling us towards our net-zero goals .”
Pop-up trials could see shops , supermarkets , online retailers , warehouse operators and delivery companies using hydrogen-powered transport to move goods and carry out last-mile deliveries .
It could also see local transport operators working with the transport R & D sector to deliver emission-free hydrogen passenger services , such as on-demand regional buses , or zero-emission refuse vehicles .
Tees Business-backed digital poverty appeal tops £ 100,000
Foundation via donations from patrons and supporters , while £ 20,000 was presented by Thirteen Housing to Middlesbrough Council .
Reaching this magical figure means that the appeal has been able to help schools in Middlesbrough , Stockton and Redcar & Cleveland to buy vital laptops , Chromebooks , iPads , tablets and internet connectivity to support pupils with home learning during lockdown and beyond .
The charity said an “ extra special mention ” goes to tech entrepreneur Dean Benson , of Visualsoft , who made an “ incredible ” £ 20,000 personal donation , and tech firm Causeway , which swelled the campaign coffers by a further £ 25,000 .
BUSINESS BITES
NEWS
MAYOR LAUNCHES £ 1M TEESWORKS GATEHOUSE Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has thrown open the doors to the new £ 1m Teesworks Gatehouse .
The revamped entrance includes a modern gatehouse , car parking , street lighting and landscaping to create a welcoming arrival .
A 3.7-metre-high LED screen has been installed onto the newlydecorated bridge .
Mr Houchen said : “ It ’ s fantastic to be able to officially open the doors to our brand new gatehouse , which sets the tone for our modern , forwardlooking Teesworks site and is sure to wow investors .”
CHAIN SET TO BUILD NEW HOTEL IN REDCAR Initial designs of what a new 42-bedroom hotel to be built in Redcar could look like have been revealed – as well as the identity of the planned operator .
Subject to planning approval , North-East chain Inn Collection Group , which also owns the King ’ s Head in Newton-under-Roseberry and the Stables in Whitby , is set to finance and develop the hotel and family restaurant in Coatham .
The group is intending to spend £ 6.5m on the development , with the government providing £ 750,000 of accelerated funding .
£ 4M BOOST FOR STATE-OF-THE- ART BIO-MANUFACTURING SITE A cutting-edge Teesside innovation centre has been given £ 4m in funding to help develop a centre for excellence in bio-manufacturing .
The Centre for Process Innovation ( CPI ), an open-access , independent innovation centre which supports the development of UK process industry and manufacturing , has been granted the cash by Tees Valley Combined Authority to help it refurbish and extend its capabilities at the Wilton Centre , near Redcar .
This new capability will allow CPI to support businesses in developing new and improved food products .
TEES FIRM HELPS PRODUCE 50M FACE SHIELDS A company says work by its Teesside team has resulted in the production of more than 50m face shields to protec frontline workers during the pandemic .
DuPont Teijin Films ( DTF ) – a leading manufacturer of polyester films and coatings – also provided supplies of its clear plastic film to local community groups and face shield makers to safeguard staff in hospitals and care homes across the Tees Valley .
More than 80 people work at DTF ’ s Global Innovation Centre at the Wilton Centre .
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