WORKSPACE
Four business centres and counting …
Good news – North East BIC chief executive Paul McEldon .
Paul McEldon , chief executive of the North East BIC , tells Tees Business why the addition of a fourth property to its portfolio is good news for the whole region .
Impressive – Innovation Central has welcomed its first tenants
The arrival of the first tenants into our new £ 8m innovation centre in Darlington is not just good news for them and for us – it ’ s a confidence boost to the entire region .
The BIC ’ s sole purpose for the past 28 years has been to create the right environment for the region ’ s businesses to thrive , so to be asked to take over the running of our fourth business centre is an indication of the health of the North-East ’ s business community , as well as our own .
It ’ s the appetite and spirit of the start-up community in the Tees Valley that has prompted Darlington Borough Council to invest in Innovation Central . And early indications show the demand for the Grade A office and lab space is as high as was expected .
Our first business centre in the town , Business Central , has already reached capacity , with 200 businesses helped to start up and grow since we launched in 2015 . And now this second neighbouring site , just minutes away on Darlington ’ s Central Park development , will continue to build on this momentum – providing choice and wrap-around support to today ’ s entrepreneurs .
It ’ s our closeness to the business community that helps us understand and respond to what ’ s actually needed , rather than what might be incorrectly assumed .
Vanessa Wood , our centre manager at Business Central , has been involved in the design of Innovation Central from day one and has poured her extensive knowledge of running successful business space into creating the new facility and a support system for tenants .
She knows it ’ s about more than simply creating an attractive commercial space . It ’ s about creating the creative , collaborative and supportive environment where ideas people can be inspired .
That ’ s why the centre will provide tenants with access to an events programme , business support and networking opportunities , as well as comprehensive lifestyle facilities including a gym and micro spa .
Want to know more ?
Darlington is buzzing with entrepreneurial potential right now , so it ’ s incredibly exciting to be able to offer such excellent locations and facilities to bring this to fruition . We ’ ve helped to create more than 7,000 regional jobs since 1994 and we ’ ve no plans of slowing now .
Workspace at Innovation Central is available to all sectors , with office sizes ranging from 174-630 sq ft and lab sizes from 410-743 sq ft .
Email enquiries @ innovationcentraldarlington . co . uk for information on availability .
The project is jointly funded by Darlington Borough Council , the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ), £ 3.55m from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority , and the government ’ s Getting Building Fund .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 101