May 2017

Green Light for Centre Square East Development in Middlesbrough Town Centre

Middlesbrough Borough Council (MBC) has today (May 26) approved plans submitted by developer Ashall Projects for a key redevelopment site in central Middlesbrough.

The announcement comes as national restaurant operator Bistrot Pierre confirms it will open a restaurant at Centre Square in September this year.

The Centre Square East development will see Ashall Projects transform the land around Centre Square to create and deliver circa 210,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, enhanced public realm and landscaping with additional food and beverage outlets.

Ashall’s plans form part of Middlesbrough Council’s £700m Investment Prospectus which was launched to the public last month and includes plans to create 5,000 jobs across the town.

Up to 1,500 jobs will be created throughout the Centre Square development alone.

Mark Ashall, Director of Ashall Projects, said: “Centre Square has the potential to be a centre for business activity capable of providing the best office accommodation between Leeds to the south and Newcastle to the north, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

“Our aim is to create a new distinctive commercial hub at the cultural and civic heart of Middlesbrough which is integrated with high quality public realm, green space and local amenities - a desirable place to work, visit and relax.

“Taking note of the Centre for Cities report, our scheme will support the wider strategic vision of MBC aiming to offer the wide array of amenities and supporting infrastructure needed to attract the employers who provide knowledge intensive jobs.

Mark added: “We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to transform the business offering within the town centre. Bistrot Pierre committing to the area demonstrates just one example of the potential these companies now see in the town, and their confidence that the developments recently announced by the council in its investment prospectus will come to fruition.

“An essential element of the development is the provision of attractive public realm and green space. We have worked closely with Seymour Architecture and landscape designers, Colour, to ensure the scheme delivers that.”

Ashall Projects, presented plans to council members and business leaders and consulted the public on proposed designs for the scheme before submitting the planning application earlier this year.

Cheshire-based Ashall Projects has previously worked on the redevelopment of Centre Square, converting Cook and Endeavour House into the highly successful Holiday Inn Express hotel.

The company also has experience developing major office schemes, including the Cobalt Business Park in North Tyneside, which has over 1.5million sq ft of office space. Major occupiers there include Orange, Proctor and Gamble, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Santander and Northumbria NHS.