66 | Tees Business
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Bold – Middlesbrough city centre manager
Michelle McPhee has a clear vision as the
city heart of the Tees region.
CITY-SCALE VISION DELIVERING
DESIGNER DIVIDENDS
A
n ambitious vision for
Middlesbrough as the city heart
of the Tees Valley is delivering real
results – and council chiefs say the
best is yet to come.
A bold and far-reaching Investment
Strategy is attracting enterprise and creating
jobs, while the focus on the High Street is on
delivering the right mix of independents and
nationals, great value and premium brands.
Middlesbrough’s place as a regional
shopping destination is secure thanks to
its enviable range of big names which have
shown confidence in the city centre despite
ongoing difficult conditions nationally.
In addition to major high street retailers
like New Look and TopShop, visitors can
enjoy a wide variety of luxury brands
covering everything from beauty to jewellery
and clothing.
Designer clothing outlets Triads and Pysche
now rub shoulders with luxury chain Flannels,
home to big name brands like Jimmy Choo,
Balenciaga, Balmain and Vivienne Westwood.
Debenhams is the place to go for MAC,
Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent and Dior beauty
brands, and jewellery lovers need look no
further than Market Cross and Goldsmiths
for high-end names ranging from Rolex and
Breitling to Links of London and Tag Heuer.
Attracting shoppers to a vibrant city centre
offer has knock-on benefits for the wider
economy, with cafes, bars, restaurants and
countless other businesses benefiting from
healthy footfall and the disposable income it
brings.
That in turn has attracted new eateries,
with Bistrot Pierre and Turtle Bay just two
of the businesses helping to transform
Middlesbrough’s lunch and night-time
economies.
None of this happens overnight, or without
a lot of hard work, expertise and enthusiasm
– and that’s where Middlesbrough Council’s
City Centre Team have a track record that’s
second to none.
City centre manager Michelle McPhee has
a clear vision: “Our focus is firmly on building
a strong and prosperous Middlesbrough for
the benefit of all its residents, and we’re
confident that our city centre strategy,
which looks at both growth and quality of
experience, will build a strong and thriving
centre for the future.
“We’re really proud of our offer here in
Middlesbrough, and the fact that we can
cater to all tastes and budgets.
“It’s all about creating a city centre offer
that will encourage visitors to spend as much
time as possible here, and that in turn will
benefit the town as a whole.”
The impact of such a bold and ambitious
approach is borne out by the latest figures
which show resounding economic growth.
Visitor numbers, visitor spending and
employment in the tourism sector are all
up, with new hotels, restaurants and leisure
facilities feeling the benefits.
Important regeneration projects currently
underway include the Albert North project
along the stretch of Albert Road between
Middlesbrough Town Hall and the railway
station, bringing new life to a key city centre
thoroughfare in the shape of offices, city
living accommodation and food and drink
outlets.
Another major regeneration project is St
James Studios further along Albert Road
facing Centre Square on the corner opposite
the Holiday Inn Express.
The building has recently been converted
by Atha Developments, another local
company, turning empty office space into
high quality apartments.
Middlesbrough Railway Station is due
to undergo a £20m transformation and the
Grade II-listed Zetland Hotel has just re-