DARLINGTON
In bloom – Darlington is perfectly placed to help businesses flourish .
as regionally , saw us chosen ahead of strong competition .
We boast a highly skilled workforce , with an estimated 1.6m working-age people within an hour ’ s commute of Darlington , supported by nationally recognised further education and training provision , to ensure local talent comes through as the economic campus grows .
It ’ s not just our business credentials that make us stand out . At just two and half hours for a direct train journey from London King ’ s Cross , we ’ re the ideal location for a satellite campus .
Combined with our high-quality housing stock and good standard of living , at below national average costs , and with our proximity to the stunning North-East coastline and two national parks , Darlington is seen as an excellent choice for anyone looking to relocate .
Add to that the £ 105m investment by Tees Valley Combined Authority and the Department for Transport in a comprehensive improvement programme for Darlington ’ s Railway Station and the adjacent land , providing faster , more frequent services and an improved visitor experience .
The economic campus will bolster an already strong public sector presence in the town , with Student Finance England , the Disclosure and Barring Service and the Department for Education employing hundreds of people .
And it has already proved a draw to professional services firms across the legal , accountancy and education sectors , a number of which have either made plans to invest in their current Darlington offices or have relocated to the town to benefit from the Treasury ’ s move .
The long-term aim is that Darlington will become the north ’ s " Little London ”, a thriving hub of financial and professional services supporting the government and the economic campus .
Another area where Darlington stands out is in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector . We have a proud history in the town as the birthplace of passenger railways and the ingenuity and forwardthinking of our previous generations continues to live on through firms today .
With world-class expertise in low emission engines , led by Cummins , a strong offshore and subsea sector and products for the freight , industrial and light rail industry , Darlington businesses are a driving force nationally for engineering , design and advanced manufacturing .
The development of Ingenium Parc , a 40-hectare site close to the A66 and a short drive to Teesside International Airport , is anticipated to lead to more than 2,000 jobs by 2036 , with the site open to development for engineering , manufacturing and logistics firms .
The nearby Symmetry Park , home to the Amazon site , and neighbouring newly marketed 24-acre industrial park , Fabric , are exciting new developments with easy access to the A66 , while Faverdale Industrial Estate , next to the A1 , is also seeing growth and investment .
It ’ s an exciting time for Darlington . Huge investment has been secured and ambitious projects are underway . We have all the components for success and we ’ re looking to keep growing .
Whether you ’ re an established firm looking to grow or the next big thing on the hunt for a base , we ’ ve got something for you .
Visit investindarlington . co . uk to find out more – the business support team at Darlington Borough Council are on hand to offer advice and guidance to any business , from looking for premises to securing growth funding .
51