FEATURE
Meet the new neighbours – UKSE ’ s Sue Kirk ( second right ) with some of the recent arrivals at the Innovation Centre , Redcar ( from left ): Nicola Stonehouse of Stonehouse Bookkeeping Services , Susan Clay of Clay Drilling , Iain Wilson of Intek Electrical Engineering , Chris Davis of National Safety Passport , Marie Kerr of Age UK Teesside and Amy Knight of Clay Drilling .
CENTRE STAGE
How Redcar and Hartlepool businesses beat the pandemic
More than 80 Tees-based businesses have won praise for their hard work and achievements in recent times , despite the restrictions of Covid .
Based in the Innovation Centres at Hartlepool and Redcar - both purpose-built by UKSE , the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary - the companies operate in sectors from engineering , freight and finance to design , software and health .
UKSE area manager Sarah Thorpe said : “ It has been heartening to watch our tenants keep their businesses going through these challenging times . They have had the resilience and commitment to expand , create jobs , start new businesses and even continue their regular support for local charities .
“ I know many have appreciated that the cost-effective managed business space here allows them to concentrate totally on their core business . Our UKSE teams have also worked hard to keep the centres running smoothly and safely .”
The Innovation Centres provide wellequipped meeting rooms , gyms , manned receptions , free parking , 24-hour access and a UKSE team on site .
At Hartlepool , JNP Group Consulting
Engineers , established in 1980 , was the Innovation Centre ’ s first tenant to move in when it was completed in 2005 .
“ We opened our Hartlepool office in a 218-sq space ,” said director Colin Cook . “ We now have a 10-strong team occupying 25 per cent of the top floor in Hub Two , the extension built in 2011 when we were delighted to be the civil and structural engineers for the project .
“ Being here during the pandemic has been a real help . UKSE took care of all the signage and safety of communal areas , with one-way routes to protect staff . After the initial remote working , our offices were spacious enough for social distancing and our team has been Covid-free .
“ Business remained steady , with just a few bumps in the road , and we have agreements in place securing work for the next four years . We are always looking for good engineers and are taking on at least two apprentices following a recent event at Hartlepool College . This is a great location for us to reach clients across the North-
East , North Yorkshire and Cumbria .” At Redcar ’ s Innovation Centre , six new tenants arrived recently , following a £ 500,000 project to create additional facilities including smaller units , improved wireless connectivity and hot-desking .
The new arrivals included new company Intek Electrical Engineering , specialists in geotechnical investigations , Clay Drilling , Stonehouse Bookkeeping Services , National Safety Passport , Age UK Teesside and NPC Training .
Sarah Thorpe commented : “ We are now seeing increasing demand for both offices and workshops , including some people who have been home-working but would now like to have the facilities and support of a centre and a friendly business community .
“ We are always happy to show people around . We have invested around £ 12m in the centres - they are an important part of the support we offer to businesses , alongside our investment packages of up to £ 1m .”
For more details , visit ukse . co . uk or call Innovation Centre , Redcar on 01642 777777 or Innovation Centre , Hartlepool on 01429 239500 .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 79