A CAMPAIGN celebrating Middlesbrough’s ongoing regeneration and growth is officially launched this week.
Middlesbrough is Changing puts the spotlight on the huge array of cutting edge developments currently breathing new life into the town, and looks ahead to its ongoing transformation.
And on Thursday (March 5), young people from across the town will meet at a key location to mark the official start of the high profile campaign.
The six – chosen to symbolise the various strands of the town’s continuing regeneration – will gather against the stunning backdrop of Middlesbrough College at the heart of Middlehaven.
- An ambassador student from Middlesbrough College, representing the first class educational opportunities available to the town’s students
- Kirsten Butterworth of AV Dawson, who are increasing their workforce after recent investment
- An apprentice from David Wilson homes, representing hundreds of labouring jobs created on new housing developments
- Kerry Neesam of new creative agency The Creative Alchemist, which is relocating to Boho. The creation of Boho 5 will further enhance the town’s worldwide reputation for digital and business innovation
- Larah Hunter of Clinkards, who are set to regenerate Cannon Park with a new purpose-built office and warehous
- Matty Hynes, Great Britain and England International distance runner, representing Middlesbrough Sports Village, which is bringing world-class sporting facilities to the town and the wider region.
The Middlesbrough is Changing campaign is promoting major investments totalling £500 million which are equipping the town for the 21st Century and helping to drive social and economic change.
Local and national businesses continue to show their faith in the area, including a £12.5 million investment in a new rail terminal and steel store by home-grown success story AV Dawson, and familiar high street name Charles Clinkard on the verge of a £3 million investment in a purpose-built 40,000sq ft headquarters and distribution centre at Cannon Park.
The 138-room Holiday Inn Centre Square development will bring more visitors to the town and more money into the local economy, and following the complete redevelopment of Baker Street into a bustling focal point for micro-pubs, eateries, salons and independent traders, neighbouring Bedford Street is set to benefit from a similar revamp.
Middlehaven, the historic heart of the town, is flourishing with a £2.6 million Heritage Lottery Fund refurbishment of the Tees Transporter Bridge and the creation of a £1.6 million community park, part-financed by Able UK, both due for completion this year.
Middlesbrough is Changing will join up with the successful lovemiddlesbrough brand to showcase the reinvigoration of the town, and residents will be invited to play their part. The coming months will see competitions for schools and social media campaigns, allowing people to connect with the changes in Middlesbrough and talk about what they mean to them.
Residents will begin to notice additional promotion across the town in the form of a vibrant series of posters, Adshels and lamppost banners due to be installed in the town centre over the coming weeks.
Middlesbrough Council Chief Executive Mike Robinson said: “The transformation currently taking place across Middlesbrough is taking the town on to a whole new level, ensuring it can compete with other towns and cities up and down the country.
“Investment of half a billion pounds shows real confidence in the town’s future, and its hard-won reputation for state-of-the-art education facilities, business innovation and success, world-renowned medical facilities, and much more.
“We are creating thousands of new jobs, supporting new and growing businesses, and creating new learning and leisure opportunities for the people of Middlesbrough and beyond.
“Young people are the future of our town – they symbolise the opportunities we are creating here, and that’s why they are at the heart of Middlesbrough is Changing.”