Work has started on an innovative new building that will provide state of the art business accommodation for up to 64 new and small businesses in Darlington at any one time.
Based on the Central Park Enterprise Zone site and close to the railway station, the Business Growth Hub will provide Grade A office space and one-stop support services for small and medium sized businesses.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has invested £3m as well as providing the land for the £6.6m project which has received £3.3m support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). During its lifetime, the Hub will support the creation of at least 25 new businesses and 350 new jobs, seeing around 200 businesses occupy the space.
The Hub forms part of the wider regeneration of Central Park within the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone; a site targeted at digital companies alongside biologics and advanced engineering. It is hoped the facility will kick-start enterprise development on the site and will set the scene for a new commercial and business centre close to the railway station, the education hub of Darlington College and Teesside University and close to the town centre.
The project is being managed by Darlington Council who applied and received the funding for the scheme. Construction work is expected to last around 12 months. Once open, the Hub will be operated by the North East Business Innovation Centre (NE-BIC) Ltd, an organisation with proven expertise in managing and developing Innovation and Incubation Centre sites.
Naz Parkar, Interim Executive Director at the Homes and Communities Agency said: “I am really pleased to see the start of the first commercial development at Central Park and I am confident that this will act as the catalyst for future development. The creation of employment opportunities at the south of the Park complements the new homes, College and University buildings that have been built on the northern end of the site. Once completed next year, this building will help create over 300 jobs in the town by supporting new businesses as they develop and grow.”
Leader of the Council, Bill Dixon said: “Although this marks the start of physical work on site, there has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to ensure that this Hub becomes a reality. I would like to thank our funders the ERDF and HCA for their belief in our Borough.
"Through the development of our Economic Strategy, we have listened to local businesses and the message was loud and clear – a facility such as this is needed in Darlington to support new and growing businesses. Once complete, the Hub will help to meet this need and will also encourage other businesses to locate to Central Park.
"In addition, the appointment of Ian Williams as the Council’s new Director for Economic Growth will be another significant driver in attracting further inward investment and jobs.”
Cllr Neil Foster, Deputy Chair of the ERDF Local Management Committee, said: “It is excellent news that work has started on the development of high quality premises which will enable new and growing businesses to locate in Darlington creating jobs and wealth. ERDF and HCA investment will support the local development of the Enterprise Zone and ensure further economic opportunities.”
