Investment – more than £ 12m has been ploughed into UKSE ’ s innovation centres in Redcar and Hartlepool .
GROWTH
CENTRES OF
EXCELLENCE There ’ s no place like
home for growing Tees businesses
More than 100 Teesside businesses currently call UKSE ’ s innovation centres at Hartlepool and Redcar home .
They are the latest in an impressive roll call of companies that have thrived there , thanks to UKSE ’ s decades of experience and continued commitment to providing high-quality managed workspace for new and growing businesses .
The Tata Steel business-support subsidiary recognised in its early days that finding suitable premises without entering into long-term commitments was often difficult for businesses .
Today , more than £ 12m has now been invested into its two flagship innovation centres , where businesses are based in what one tenant calls “ a brilliant place to call home ”.
Purpose-built in 2000 and 2005 , multimillion-pound extensions were soon added to both centres to meet the growing demand , which continues .
The latest investment project is creating a number of smaller-sized office units , hot-desking facilities , improved wireless connectivity and transforming the reception areas , kitchens and on-site gyms .
Tenants make full use of the high-quality accommodation and facilities that include a serviced reception , 24-7 access , fullyequipped meeting rooms , high-speed broadband , digital telecom system , ample free parking , a gym and chill-out room .
Offices and units range in size from 150 sq ft to 800 sq ft . Tenants praise the convenient locations – on Hartlepool ’ s Queens Meadow Business Park and the Kirkleatham Business Park at Redcar – as well as the support UKSE provided
throughout Covid restrictions and when additional or different space is needed .
Regional manager Sarah Thorpe said : “ Our aim is to help businesses create jobs to regenerate and improve economic prosperity in our steel areas .
“ It is so rewarding to see businesses grow successfully , often then needing larger premises of their own , which allows us to welcome new tenants .
“ Offices start from as little as £ 50-perweek and we don ’ t tie businesses into long leases .”
Current tenants include businesses involved in finance , design , engineering ,
COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF data storage , freight , signage , saddlery , training , legal , construction , sport , energy and recruitment .
Joan Cook is UKSE ’ s workspace manager responsible for the day-to-day running of both centres .
“ Our aim is to leave tenants free to concentrate solely on their own businesses ,” she said . “ They really appreciate the facilities and having UKSE on-site . They have helped to create friendly and supportive business communities here and also manage to find time to support their local communities with various events .”
Business owners and entrepreneurs thinking of making 2023 the year they start or grow their business are invited to see for themselves what makes the innovation centres an ideal choice . Call 01642 777 777 ( Redcar ) or 01429 239 500 ( Hartlepool ) or email north @ ukse . co . uk Further details about the centres on www . ukse . co . uk
Scale-up – an invitation from UKSE workspace manager Joan Cook .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 105