GAME-CHANGER
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BUSINESS BRIEFS
Sunderland is set to become the UK trailblazer in esports – one of the fastest-growing industries in the world – following a multi-million pound deal .
The British Esports Association ( BEA ) – the national body for esports – has announced it will open a performance and education campus at Riverside Sunderland , which will nurture and support the next generation of talent , as interest and engagement in esports grows in the UK .
BEA has made a multi-million commitment to Sunderland , having acquired a former retail premises adjacent to the Stadium of Light , where it will establish its National Esports Performance Campus ( NEPC ).
Esports – an abbreviation of electronic sports – refers to organised competitive video gaming , in which teams and individual players pit their skills against one another online , and often in front of large live audiences to win trophies and cash prizes , which can extend to millions of pounds . Already a phenomenon in several territories around the world , with one in three people globally playing video games and over half a billion fans , esports is set to explode in popularity in the UK .
Both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games are considering the inclusion of esports in future competitions .
The NEPC will become a centre of excellence , providing access to state-of-theart equipment , training and investment that will support Sunderland , the North-East and the UK to become a globally-recognised esports hub capable of attracting and developing the world ’ s best esports talent .
The NEPC , set to open in the summer , will host regular esports events , community tournaments , summer camps and be used as a training base for the Great Britain esports
Vision - Sunderland is the new home of the British Esports Performance Campus .
British Esports makes multi-million pound Sunderland investment
team , which recently took part in the Global Esports Games in Singapore .
BEA CEO Chester King said : “ The UK is Europe ’ s second biggest video game market and ranked sixth globally – this speaks to the potential of esports which will capitalise on gaming ’ s popularity , with talented competitors emerging and a growing audience keen to spectate and enjoy esports as a leisure activity . This is a market that we know will explode in the UK and we want to support its growth .
“ Sunderland is a hugely ambitious and future-focused city and that aligns very much to BEA and esports , which has vast growth potential and ties into Sunderland ’ s strengths in gaming , digital and sport .
“ The ambition , the focus and determination and the innovation in this city is unparalleled and that ’ s what appealed to us at BEA and it ’ s why we ’ re absolutely thrilled to be making Sunderland the NEPC ’ s home .”
The move into Sunderland will initially create 20 jobs in the city , but it ’ s also expected that tens of thousands of spectators will visit Sunderland ’ s NEPC to tap into the world-class facilities that will be available , and that a whole new local ecosystem will be created by the move .
Patrick Melia , chief executive of Sunderland City Council , said : “ We ’ re absolutely thrilled to support BEA in making this incredible commitment to our city , which is testament to the ambition and vision we have for Sunderland , and their confidence in it .
“ Esports has been a phenomenal global success , and it is a huge growth market in the UK , that will be realised over the coming years . BEA ’ s move puts Sunderland at the beating heart of that , and we couldn ’ t be more pleased .”
POLICE STATION TRANSFORMATION Work to transform a distinctive former police station into a stylish new office block is underway , with a Sunderland construction partner appointed .
North-East developer Hanro has engaged Sunderland-based Brims to carry out work on the former Gilbridge Police Station , which will be renamed The Yard when it opens its doors in the summer .
A comprehensive £ 3.5m refurb will be carried out by Brims Construction , creating a modern office base for companies of all sizes .
PORT OF CALL A global offshore subsea construction company has opened a new regional project office at Port of Sunderland .
Boskalis Subsea Services , which specialises in offshore contracting , marine services and dredging , will use the base to expand the presence of its business vessel operations in the UK , as it looks to cater for growing demand for its offshore , IRM , construction and decommissioning services .
HEARING CLINIC LAUNCHED Sunderland ’ s only independent hearing clinic has launched at the North East Business and Innovation Centre ( BIC ).
Audiologist Dan Wilkinson set up his private practice , Northern Spire Hearing Services , at the BIC in response to a growing demand for his mobile services .
Dan launched his business back in 2020 after spotting a gap in the market whilst working as an audiologist for the NHS – initially offering home visits only to clients .
But demand for his expertise quickly led to the decision to establish a permanent base where he could help more clients and offer a wider range of services .
WEAR BUSINESS – SUMMER ISSUE The Wear Business team are already working on the summer issue of the region ’ s only dedicated business publication .
The booking deadline for issue # 9 is 5pm on Friday , April 29 .
Call sales manager Richard Jobling on 0191 563 4208 , or email richard @ wear . business .
wear . business – the voice of business for the Wear region
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