Member Article

Underused Gateshead offices to become hub for digital business with £1.7 million funding

A speculative office develpment on Gateshead Quays, which has been underused since its competion, will become a hub for digital businesses following a £1.7 million funding boost from the government.

Baltimore House on Baltic Business Quarter will be transformed using the ERDF money and match funding from Gateshead Council - which will own and manage the building, creating 20 new jobs by the end of 2015.

The plan is to provide space for new or developing digital technology companies in the central location which is part of the NewcastleGateshead Accelerated Development Zone.

Communities Minister Baroness Stowell said: “The money announced today is great news for Newcastle and Gateshead, creating new jobs locally and encouraging businesses to grow to boost the local economy.

“Newcastle, Gateshead and the north east have long been a proud part of England’s industrial heartland, famous at home and worldwide for what they build. I want to keep the towns working, building and innovating, and with this funding the government is helping the area transform for the 21st century as an area burgeoning with digital and media businesses.”

Leader of Gateshead Council, Mick Henry, said: “The digital and technology sector is one of the area’s real success stories. Even during some of the most difficult times for our local economy, we’ve seen consistent growth in the sector, with strong demand for high-quality facilities like Northern Design Centre.

“This new facility will build upon that success and help to lay the foundations for many more years of strong growth. It will help to cement Tyneside’s emerging reputation as a significant force in this high value area. Projects like this are creating high quality, desirable jobs that will play an ever increasing role in the resurgence of our local economy.”

The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007- 2013 is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .