Member Article

NECC kick-starts £1.4m development in Boho

A regional business membership organisation has taken a leadership role in kick-starting the transformation of Middlesbrough’s flagship cultural quarter. The North East Chamber of Commerce has unveiled ambitious plans to rejuvenate one of the town’s most recognised landmarks. NECC is to spend £1.4m on creating a 21st Century workspace in the historic Commerce House in the Middlesbrough’s Exchange Square.

Commerce House is situated on the gateway to the Boho zone which is earmarked as the home of a digital quarter in the town’s Victorian heart. Boho is spearheaded by DigitalCity, a partnership between the University of Teesside and Middlesbrough Council focused on establishing a cluster of creative businesses.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “Middlesbrough has ongoing a number of exciting, ambitious projects and Boho is the creative link between one of these, Middlehaven, and the town centre. NECC has its own ambitious growth plans and we see this major initiative as a resounding vote of confidence in the ongoing development of Middlesbrough and a strong commitment to serving the 9,000+ businesses in the Tees Valley. “This £1.4m investment will take a building steeped in history and give it a 21st century interior that is fit to serve the expanding Tees Valley economy.”

The current renovation work is the largest of its kind embarked upon by NECC at any of its 11 sites across the North East. The re-developed building will bring together two NECC training centres as well as its international and policy teams under one roof. The amalgamated operation will occupy approximately 12,500 square feet of office space.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .