MABO MEDIA SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD
/ MIDDLESBROUGH NEWS
Serving the Teesside Business Community | 67
WHY JOE ’ S NEW ROLE IS A REAL FORK IN THE ROAD
Fork in the Road founder Andy Preston ( left ) and restaurant manager Matty Hynes with trainee manager Joe .
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Middlesbrough restaurant ’ s new trainee manager is combining serving food with serving time – as he is a prisoner at HMP Kirklevington Grange .
Joe – whose full name is not being made public – has won promotion at charity-run restaurant , The Fork in the Road , after wowing boss Andy Preston during spells as a kitchen porter , waiter and supervisor .
The 31-year-old , who is not due for release from Kirklevington Grange until August next year , works six days a week at the restaurant under the supervision of manager Matty Hynes and assistant manager Rachel Whitehead .
Backed by Middlesbrough-based national charity CEO Sleepout , The Fork in the Road is focused on giving work and training opportunities to the long-term unemployed , including ex-offenders .
The restaurant ’ s founder Andy said : “ We ’ re delighted to have made Joe our trainee manager .
“ He is a really strong member of staff who came in as a dishwasher , then started to do some waiting and did such a good job that it just made sense to have him out front getting involved with our customers .
“ He ’ s responsible and reliable , has bags of common sense , takes advice on board , and he ’ s always keen to do the right thing for the customers and the restaurant .”
Joe hopes his role at The Fork in the Road can help him find employment on his release in eight months ’ time .
“ I channelled my energies into the wrong things in the past , got involved in something I shouldn ’ t have and ended up in jail ,” he reflected . “ Now I ’ m determined to turn a corner and do something productive with my life .”
Angie Petit , governor at HMP Kirklevington Grange , added : “ The partnership working between Kirklevington Grange and The Fork in the Road is an amazing example of how we can work together to give people real chances for change and hope for the future .”
New hotel set for Spring 2018 opening
The final touches are being made to Middlesbrough ’ s new Premier Inn , providing a welcome boost to local employment and bringing 35 full-time jobs to the town .
Built by local property developer Jomast , the affordable hotel sits on the site of a former car park , alongside the existing Jury ’ s Inn hotel and Unite buildings on Wilson Street in the centre of Middlesbrough .
The development , which is due to open its doors in March 2018 , heralds a new phase of regeneration in the town , and it has been confirmed that it will be recruiting for various roles over the next few months .
Invest in Middlesbrough supports Tees Valley SMEs
Start-ups and SMEs are being supported by Tees Valley Business Compass and Middlesbrough Council , following the success of their Middlesbrough Business Growth Surgery .
Delegates from 16 organisations , including BE Group , FW Capital , UK Steel Enterprise , Clive Owen LLP and the Department for International Trade , were on hand to offer advice and support to businesses from across Tees Valley .
Visitors were able to meet with the delegates for one-on-one sessions covering a range of topics , which included guidance on funding opportunities , improving business technologies , financial advice , apprenticeships and skills training , supply chain development and exporting opportunities .
Held at Middlesbrough Football Club ’ s Riverside Stadium , the business growth surgery was attended by a range of companies from different sectors , including manufacturing , mechanical and digital and technology .
INVESTMENT PLANS UNDER WAY IN HISTORIC QUARTER
Key details have been revealed about major improvements to a historic area of Middlesbrough town centre .
Albert Road , which is a main thoroughfare in the town , runs from Middlesbrough train station to the town centre and Teesside University . It has already seen various developments in 2017 including the Holiday Inn , Bistrot Pierre and the ongoing restoration of the town hall .
New plans set out by Jomast will ensure that the positive regeneration in this area continues into 2018 .
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MABO MEDIA SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD
Teesside specialist PPC management agency Mabo Media was shortlisted for an award at this year ’ s UK Search Awards .
The Middlesbrough-based agency was shortlisted along with eight other UK firms for the Best Small PPC Agency .
Managing director Lee Mableson ( pictured at his offices on the top floor of Boho Five in Middlesbrough ) said : “ We didn ’ t win but we ’ re immensely proud to have been shortlisted , which was a big achievement for us .
“ Our goal is to become the best and biggest PPC management agency in the UK .
“ Getting shortlisted for this award is the next step towards achieving our goal and shows our capabilities when it comes to PPC management .”
/ TeesBusiness @ Tees _ Business