BUSINESS BITES
NEWS
Developers reaffirm commitment to transformational regeneration project in heart of Middlesbrough
Developers behind Middlesbrough’ s most ambitious regeneration scheme in decades have expressed confidence in the long-term ability of the project’ s partners to deliver a lasting and impactful change to Crown Square and the town’ s economic future.
Unveiled last year as a £ 200m vision in the heart of the Gresham area, Crown Square is designed to breathe new life into central Middlesbrough.
The scheme brings together more than 230 high-quality build-to-rent homes, student accommodation for more than 400 and one of the UK’ s first Fairfield by Marriott hotels, meeting clear unmet demand at a key gateway to the town from the A66.
Backed by developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property, working in partnership with the Middlesbrough Development Corporation( MDC) and Tees Valley Combined Authority( TVCA), the project
£ 400m investment in Fujifilm’ s Tees sites
Teesside’ s position as a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing and life sciences has been significantly strengthened following the official opening of a major expansion at Fujifilm Biotechnologies’ Billingham site.
The Japanese-owned business has completed a £ 400m investment in new manufacturing and laboratory facilities, creating what the company says is now the UK’ s largest single-use contract development and manufacturing organisation( CDMO) for biologics, vaccines and advanced medicines.
Employing around 960 people on Teesside, the expansion represents a major vote of confidence in the region’ s skills base, infrastructure and long-term role within the global life sciences supply chain.
Alongside the manufacturing expansion, Fujifilm has also opened a new Bioprocess Innovation Centre, adding more than 102,000 sq ft of laboratory space and
Jewell – developers remain committed to delivering the Crown Square site in central Middlesbrough.
is intended to act as a catalyst for a much wider vision – helping unlock up to 1,500 new homes, supporting 4,000 jobs and, crucially, attracting and retaining the talent needed to drive future growth.
While work was paused before Christmas due to what partners describe as“ national economic headwinds”, all parties – including MDC, TVCA and the developers – say they remain fully committed to delivering what they describe as a“ transformational development” for the town. iMpeC director Leigh Cresswell said:“ If ever there’ s been a project that is needed for the benefit of a town and its people, this is it.”
Fellow director Neil McMillan added:“ Construction costs have risen sharply after years of high inflation, interest rates increased, and that combination has made projects like this harder – but not impossible – to deliver.”
New site – Fujifilm Biotechnologies has invested in a new manufacturing plant at Billingham.
doubling the site’ s existing development capability.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the investment underlined the UK’ s attractiveness as a destination for advanced manufacturing.
“ This investment is a vote of confidence in the UK as one of the best places in the world to develop and manufacture cuttingedge medicines and vaccines,” she said.
Fujifilm said the expansion forms part of its wider kojoX network – a modular, global manufacturing model designed to increase speed, flexibility and resilience in medicine production.
BUSINESS BITES
BIG BITE ACQUISITION Middlesbrough-based digital specialist Big Bite has been acquired by US tech firm WP Engine, marking a major milestone for the Tees Valley tech sector and one of the region’ s most respected digital success stories.
The digital firm, owned by Iain McPherson, Jason Agnew and Mark Goodyear, has joined Texasbased WordPress-hosting giant WP Engine.
It employs more than 1,000 people globally with annual sales of $ 400m, and its platform powers more than 1.5m WordPress websites in more than 150 countries, covering everything from small business sites to enterprise digital experiences.
RESTORATION STARTS A major project to breathe new life into one of the historic icons of the region is underway.
The restoration of Middlesbrough’ s Old Town Hall is being led by Middlesbrough Council with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The £ 6.3m project will see the demolition of a 1970s extension to the building, alongside muchneeded structural work.
ROCKLIFFE MAKEOVER Following a multi-million-pound transformation, five-star Rockliffe Hall is set to re-emerge as a worldclass, luxury hotel destination when it fully reopens this summer.
The project includes the meticulous renovation of the resort’ s Grade II listed building and a new extensive culinary offering focused on setting a new benchmark in contemporary luxury hospitality.
The resort will have 43 rooms and suites and a new collection of six distinctive dining and bar experiences, including a newly built, 36-cover standalone restaurant.
WIND FARM SOLD An onshore wind farm near Stockton is under new ownership after being sold by leading renewables developer OnPath Energy to one of Europe’ s leading independent renewable energy producers.
The four-turbine Lambs Hill Wind Farm at Stillington has been purchased by ERG as part of its wider acquisition of seven of OnPath’ s English onshore wind farms.
The existing OnPath team will continue to manage the wind farms on behalf of the new owners for around 18 months.
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