March 2010 - Adobe PDF - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

6
news
Economic
<strong>Stockton</strong>
Regeneration and Transport
Energy and
process
business
moves in
Status symbol
Costain, one of
the UK’s leading
engineering and
construction groups
has chosen to base
part of its operation in
<strong>Stockton</strong> as an element
of its specialist Energy
and Process division.
One of <strong>Stockton</strong>’s major
landmarks, Victoria
Bridge, (pictured) has
gained Grade ll Listed
status from the Secretary
of State for the
Department for Culture,
Media and Sport.
The bridge opened in 1887
to commemorate the Golden
Support at hand
In response to the
mothballing of the
Corus Teesside Cast
products plant, more
than £1 million is being
made available to help
individuals start their
own business, and
companies identify new
markets, through the
Tees Valley Industrial
Programme.
This financial support is
available to Tees Valley
residents and businesses
and, those affected by the
mothballing.
Now 90 per cent funding
(previously 70 per cent) will
be available for intensive
support for people who want
to start a business as well as
new businesses. Some new
businesses will also now be
able to benefit from the
Jubilee of Queen Victoria
and replaced an earlier
bridge of 1771. Designed by
Messrs H Haytor and Charles
Neate and built by Whitaker
Brothers of Leeds and cost
£69,051.
The money was raised
by local councils with
contributions from the
Tramway Company, North
expertise of universities and
colleges when developing
new products and processes
through a special voucher
scheme - previously only
available to established
businesses.
To help existing small and
medium businesses identify
opportunities and become
more innovative, competitive
and profitable, 50 per cent
funding will help them gain
advice and guidance to
develop new ideas, products
and services.
Mentoring support will also
be available for existing Tees
Valley businesses affected by
the economic downturn.
If you have been affected by
the Corus mothballing. or
you know someone who has,
and would like to find out
more please call Business Link
on 0845 600 9006.
Eastern Railway and the
Water Board.
The bridge has significant
constructional interest as an
increasingly rare survival of a
wrought iron arched bridge
with balustrade of cast iron.
It also displays a high level
of architectural quality in its
overall design, detailing and
use of materials.
It’s the business
Supporting small
businesses is at he
heart of an ongoing
commitment by <strong>Stockton</strong>
Council with the signing
of a new ‘Engagement
Accord’.
The Small Business
Engagement Accord is a
voluntary code of practice
produced by the Federation
of Small Businesses (FSB) for
local authorities in the North
East which looks to encourage
communication with local
businesses.
The FSB Accord has a number
of principles including early
stage consultation with
businesses; working with
Local Strategic Partnerships
to ensure they communicate
with business representative
organisations and nominating
representatives to act as
‘business engagement
champions’.
The company chose this
area because of the region’s
strong energy and process
industry cluster. This,
together with a pool of
highly skilled workers
will present an excellent
opportunity for Costain.
Initially the business will
employ 30 people based in
its office on Preston Farm
Industrial Estate.
Pauline Osborne, Regional
Chairman of The Federation
of Small Businesses (FSB),
said: “We are delighted
that <strong>Stockton</strong> Council has
signed the Small Business
Engagement Accord. This
is a clear indication that
the authority recognises
the importance of small
businesses.
To contact <strong>Stockton</strong> Council’s
Business Development Team,
call (01642) 528384 or email
business.enquiries@stockton.
gov.uk
Stop press!
New Range
As <strong>Stockton</strong> News went to
print excellent news came
through of a new outlet
coming to <strong>Stockton</strong> and
bringing with it 150 new
jobs. The Range, coming to
Portrack Lane Retail Park,
will open on Friday, 2 April
offering furniture, textiles,
garden, DIY and pet care.