STOCKTON NEWS
Tech start-up secures £ 50m of contracts for small businesses
TOWNS ‘ COULD BE TRANSFORMED ’ BY £ 40M BID
Stockton Council has submitted a £ 40m bid to the government ’ s Levelling Up fund as part of its ambitious plans for Billingham town centre , Yarm town centre and the further development of Preston Park .
The two £ 20m bids for the constituencies of Stockton North and Stockton South are for major proposals forming part of the ongoing town centres investment programme led by the council , together with new facilities in Preston Park including a new exhibition space , café and toilets and car parking .
The central themes of the Levelling Up Fund criteria are culture , transport and town centre regeneration . Bids for round one of the funding have been developed in full consultation with both MPs .
Proposals include addressing the physical condition of Billingham town centre in support of the council ’ s ambition to take back control of the centre .
The redevelopment would help solve the challenges of changing retail trends that are contributing to excess retail space and high vacancy rates .
This includes exploring options for mixeduse redevelopment and high-quality public spaces that improve accessibility within the town centre and a modern retail offering .
For Yarm , enhancements to pavement and seating areas to support outdoor seating and dining opportunities are being proposed , along with the redevelopment of the town hall into a visitor centre .
Proposals to develop Preston Park by extending the museum into an exhibition centre and gallery space , with additional access and infrastructure improvements , also being submitted .
A decision on the round one bids is expected this autumn .
Tech start-up OPPORTUNI has announced contract wins for its clients exceeding £ 50m over the last quarter .
Based in Stockton ’ s LevelQ , OPPORTUNI is a Saas ( software as a service ) business that aims to transform the world of procurement , bids and tenders , enabling small businesses seeking new growth to win public sector contracts .
New data shows that government spending with small and medium-sized businesses continues to rise , with more than £ 15bn paid to SMEs to help deliver vital public services in 2019 / 20 .
ROPE ACCESS FIRM CLIMBS TO NEW HEIGHTS
Investment boost to housing scheme takes shape
An £ 800,000 project to transform a sheltered housing scheme in Stockton is underway , led by Thirteen in partnership with Esh Construction .
Residents of 24 flats at Laburnum and Magnolia Court will receive new kitchens , bathrooms , doors , heating and a full electrical upgrade and decoration .
Ewbank Gardens , the onsite community centre , has already received a full makeover as part of the project , which will also see the gardens landscaped .
The work is part of Thirteen ’ s £ 31m investment plans , which will see over 2,400 homes benefit from improvement work over 45 estates across the North-East .
LOVE ISLAND STAR LAUNCHES TEES PROPERTY FIRM
Teessider and former Love Island star Sam Gowland has launched a property firm .
Sam Gowland Properties is developing a range of mansions within Wynyard Park , nestled in the countryside on the border of Teesside and Durham .
“ Wynyard Park is an exclusive location and we are driven to deliver exceptional homes that push the boundaries of luxury living ,” said Sam .
The mansions are being brought to market by Collier Estates , which sold £ 18m worth of real estate on Wynyard in the first quarter of 2021 .
A rope access firm has double reason to celebrate with two significant announcements to boost its expansion plans after a six-figure investment .
As well as becoming an accredited member of the Scaffolding Association , Billingham-based TIS ( NGA ) has launched its own Rope Access Training School .
Trading from a bespoke facility on the Cowpen Lane Industrial Estate since 2018 , TIS welcomed its first learners in a facility designed to create a lifelike environment in rope access , coupled with a classroom for theory teaching .
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