Member Article

Council Funding supports Local Businesses

Over recent years, IT specialists Agile have supplied Property Management Services with technology solutions such as Internet lines and telephone systems. Most recently, the two have been working together to produce a new website. However this would not have been possible if it was not for Middlesbrough Council.

In June 2011, Middlesbrough Council started to offer grants for businesses in North Ormesby and on Linthorpe Road to deliver a range of property improvements and support business growth. In total 51 businesses are due to, or already have, received assistance. The business grants are fully committed in both areas, thus grant assistance is no longer available

Property Management Services Director Julie Lofthouse said, “The process of the Council approaching businesses in the area and offering potential funding took a matter of weeks”. Once approved, Julie contacted Agile’s Managing Director Simon Scotchbrook to discuss their latest plans.

“Julie told me she wanted a new website that would provide a new identity to the company, so we instantly designed some templates to show Julie”, explained Agile’s Managing Director Simon Scotchbrook.

The previous Property Management Services website only ever saw the front page infrequently updated and this was something Julie was keen to change. “New houses become available at any time and it is important for me to be able to update new properties onto the website”.

The new website has generated lots of compliments; “we’ve had lots of positive responses from current and new customers and it has certainly enhanced our online presence”.

A key feature of the website came about through planning discussions between both companies. “I wanted to summarise everything a tenant would want about a property. So we created a sheet that contained premises information. The sheets are available to download on each property and are regularly brought along to visits”.

The process Agile used meant the companies were always in close contact to ensure everything was going as envisaged. With no complications, it was not long until Agile created the website that Property Management Services craved.

The project would not have been possible if it was not for the funding offered by Middlesbrough Council. The business grants were offered as part of the Council’s wider project to upgrade North Ormesby’s market square and improve the vitality and viability of local businesses. “The Council’s funding has supported our business and other businesses, allowing the town’s economy to grow”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Elvis .