Tees Business Tees Business Issue 16 | Page 85

Serving the Teesside Business Community | 85 / MIDDLESBROUGH NEWS FIRMS FLOCK TO COMMERCE HOUSE Colehouse Communications owner Steve Cole with digital marketing specialist Natalie McDermott and Commerce House facilities manager Christine Huntington. #TalkingUpTeesside Engineering firm recruits industry expert A Middlesbrough-based communications company, which is set to experience rapid growth over the next year, is the latest firm to move to a refurbished iconic building in Middlesbrough. Colehouse Communications has opened a new office in Commerce House, a Grade II listed building in the heart of the town, to ensure that as it grows the company is set in the right environment. Having undergone a £1.2m renovation, the luxury space has attracted some high calibre tenants who are now reaping the rewards of the prestigious TS1 postcode. As well as Colehouse, tenants include the North East of England Chamber of Commerce, the Department of International Trade, Certax Teesside, Hainton, Techquity, Aero Commerce, HR Alchemy, Levenvale, TadWeb Solutions and Smart Pads Real Estate. “I wasn’t expecting to want to move in when I first visited,” said owner Steve Cole. “But the way the building made me feel was indescribable. “Commerce House reflects where the company is right now, and both the team and the client base love it here.” Commerce House facilities manager Christine Huntington said: “Being over 80% full now, the building has an amazing vibe. “There are people using the business lounge, offices are in use, reception is busy and the board room is used a lot by both tenants and external bookings for meetings.” More information is available at www.commerce-house.co.uk or by calling Christine on 01642 917116. Logistics leaders AV Dawson have invested £30m in infrastructure over the past nine years – and is committed to investing a staggering £11m more over the current 12-month period. Cleveland Centre salon is a Turkish delight Teessiders can make the most of a delightful new personal grooming service on their own doorsteps following the opening of a new Turkish Barbers shop in Middlesbrough’s Cleveland Centre. The shop is the only barbers in the town’s largest retail centre and is located in Central Mall near WH Smith and opposite the Disney Store. Owner Ilhan Ekinci says he is “excited” to be opening his new venture to go along with his three other barber shops in South Shields, Washington Galleries and Jarrow. A fast-growing engineering company which provides safety solutions to the global processing industry has pulled off a major coup after enticing one of the world’s leading experts in mechanical interlocks from London to work on Teesside. Prosafe Engineering – founded in 2015 with an initial £2,000 investment – is on target for a £1.3m turnover this year following a summer move to bigger new premises on Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park, and has now made a key staff appointment with the addition of vastly- experienced Simon Read (pictured with director Greg Hynes) as sales manager, taking its workforce up to seven. JULIE’S RETURN TO TEES A Teessider has “come home” from a 30-year stint in London to head up an established film company’s new northern office in the heart of Middlesbrough’s creative sector. Creative film-makers Flathead have opened their North-East office in the town’s Boho Four after establishing an outstanding reputation for their commercial work across the UK over the past 10 years. Middlesbrough-born Julie Burniston (pictured) is heading up Flathead North, who introduced themselves to the North-East by producing a film about Teesside Philanthropic Foundation’s Annual Ball featuring many local firms. GOLF DAY BOOST Middlesbrough-based engineering firm Intelect has helped raise £1,500 in support of two local charities. Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind both received a share of the donation raised with the help of Intelect’s customers and suppliers through an annual golf day.