FEATURE
Development – a CGI shows how the £ 200m Crown Square development in Middlesbrough will look.
JEWEL IN THE CROWN
Business backing for successful development bid
A transformational £ 200m regeneration scheme in the heart of Middlesbrough is a step closer to reality – thanks in no small part to a powerful wave of support from local businesses.
Crown Square – a landmark mixeduse development led by iMpeC and Buccleuch Property in partnership with the Middlesbrough Development Corporation – secured planning permission for its first phase in 2025.
The ambitious scheme includes more than 230 build-to-rent apartments, student accommodation for more than 400 people, and one of the UK’ s first Fairfield by Marriott hotels.
But while much attention has been given to the scale and ambition of the project itself, less visible – yet no less important – was the work done behind the scenes to help secure widespread business support from across the Tees Valley.
Resolution Media and Publishing, the company behind This Is Tees Valley and local publication Tees Business, played a pivotal role in delivering this engagement.
Acting on behalf of the developers, Resolution used its unrivalled knowledge of the local business landscape and deep-rooted regional relationships to run an extensive programme of business consultation.
Over several weeks, the team spoke directly with key employers and decisionmakers from across a range of sectors – including digital, professional services, hospitality, education and retail – to understand their views on the development and how it could support the town’ s longterm ambitions.
The feedback gathered helped inform the
final proposals submitted for planning, while also serving as a powerful show of support from the private sector.
Some of the many voices backing the scheme included major employers such as Double Eleven, Middlesbrough College Group, Wilton Universal Group, AV Dawson, Salesfire and Behaviour Interactive, among many more.
Martin Walker, director of Resolution Media and Publishing, said:“ We were proud to advise the developers and utilise our extensive regional contacts to carry out crucial business engagement for this game-changing project of strategic local importance.
“ We know how vital it is that major regeneration schemes don’ t just look good on paper, but genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of the people and businesses in the area.
“ By speaking directly to business leaders, we were able to bring those voices into the conversation – helping to shape the plans and provide evidence of strong community backing for the Crown Square vision.”
That vision is a bold one – aiming to breathe new life into central Middlesbrough by delivering new homes, jobs, amenities and a vibrant town centre experience to attract and retain talent.
The developers estimate the scheme will ultimately create 1,500 homes and 4,000 jobs, as well as delivering high-quality student and visitor accommodation and new leisure space.
For Resolution, the engagement work is another example of the organisation’ s ability to bridge the gap between the private and public sectors, ensuring that development plans are informed by genuine local insight and backed by those who will be most impacted by them.
Director Dave Allan added:“ We’ re proud of our track record of building trust across the business community and providing an authentic voice for employers across the Tees Valley.
“ Our involvement in the Crown Square project is just one example of how our expertise in business engagement and communications can add real value to regeneration and development schemes.
“ It’ s about bringing people together – developers, councils, employers and communities – to ensure that everyone’ s voice is heard, and that projects are given the best possible chance to succeed.”
As well as Resolution, iMpeC also engaged with local firm The Petite Agency on Crown Square’ s social media and branding experts Better on the development’ s brand.
Resolution Media and Publishing provides business engagement, event management, marketing, PR and publishing services to organisations across the UK, as well as advertising and promotional opportunities through their publications and highly successful awards events.
To work with Resolution, call 01642 450255 or email info @ resolutionpublishing. co. uk – or visit teesbusiness. co. uk to see some of their work.
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