LEADING local business figures have come together to encourage investment in Middlesbrough and shout about the help at hand.
A new e-brochure entitled Invest in Middlesbrough aims to attract missing leisure and retail brands by outlining the benefits of locating in the town.
Key statistics promoting the town as the most significant between Leeds and York to the south and Newcastle and Sunderland to the north are put forward as attractive arguments.
Middlesbrough has 136,316 people within a 10-minute drive of the town centre and more than 700,000 within a 30-minute drive.
Success stories including The Olde Young Tea House – winner of Independent Retailer of the Year 2014 – and the thriving new Holiday Inn Express are also included.
The town has seen more than £500m of investment in recent years, which has been promoted through the Middlesbrough is Changing campaign, and has led to the creation of more than 4,000 jobs.
Middlesbrough’s Elected Mayor Dave Budd said: “Middlesbrough is well and truly open for business.
“There are great opportunities to succeed in Middlesbrough for businesses of all types and sizes and Middlesbrough Council will always do all it can to enable that – from their very beginnings to becoming a thriving and prosperous
long-term asset to the town.
“On a practical level we understand business and how to help it flourish – that is why we offer help with things such as business rates, re-occupation relief and refit grants and I would encourage anyone interested in setting up in Middlesbrough to take a look at what help is available.”
Carli-Jayne McNaught, owner of the Olde Young Tea House, said: “The teahouse first opened in 2009 and the response was so fantastic we soon expanded and moved into much larger premises.
“The warmth and loyalty from our customers just shines through, we haven’t just built a business in Middlesbrough we have built a community and friendships.”
Mark Winter, General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Middlesbrough, said: “The hotel market statistics for Middlesbrough were very buoyant and coupled with the support we received from the Council, it made sound business sense for us to open a new Holiday Express in the heart of the town.”
The e-brochure will be circulated to landlords, developers and commercial agents looking to attract businesses into Middlesbrough, along with agents/developers representing retail and leisure brands looking for new locations.
The download is available from www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/business
