A state-of-the-art business centre created by North Tyneside Council has attracted another company specialising in the oil and gas industry.
Following £2 million of investment, a range of businesses moved into the Centre for Innovation when it was officially opened earlier this year.
And now, another successful company has moved into the vibrant centre, which is located on the Swans North Tyneside site in Wallsend.
Relocating from Northumberland, engineering consultancy G. Robinson Design Engineering Services Ltd, also known as GRDES Ltd, has expanded and reorganised in the last 12 months to meet the challenges of the energy sector.
Made up of a team of engineers and designers, the company produces detailed engineering designs and drawings for offshore and onshore energy structures, as well as doing site surveys and supervision for the transportation and installation of the structures.
North Tyneside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn personally welcomed director Greg Robinson and his members of staff to the Centre for Innovation earlier today (November 14).
Mayor Redfearn said: “Here in North Tyneside, we are absolutely committed to supporting job creation and helping businesses to grow, which is why we built this fantastic state-of-the-art facility and I am thrilled that is has attracted so many brilliant businesses.
“With the Centre for Innovation almost fully occupied, along with our thriving office parks and fantastic local businesses, it goes to show that North Tyneside really is the place to be for business.
“This is such an exciting time for Wallsend as Swans come back to life and the extensive regeneration of the town centre gathers pace.
“I am delighted that Greg and his team have decided to relocate to North Tyneside; it was a pleasure to meet them and personally welcome them to the Centre for Innovation. It was great to hear about the services they provide to the global onshore and offshore industry and their plans for growth. I’d like to wish them every success for the future.”
Speaking about the move, Greg Robinson, who has 25 years experience working in the design engineering industry, added: “The move to Swans heralds a new chapter in our history, as it will support our mission to establish ourselves as a reputable engineering consultancy.
“The office is ideally located within the heart of the energy sector, and will provide opportunities to work with neighbouring businesses, as well as supporting the local economy.
“We look forward to taking our business to the next level and our new offices will enable us to expand the team to meet the challenge.
“We are very impressed with the level of support we received from North Tyneside Council in securing our move to the Centre for Innovation. In particular the site team have been extremely helpful, overseeing our communication installations enabling us to move in and start working within one day!”
The Centre for Innovation’s enviable position within the River Tyne North Bank Low Carbon Enterprise Zone has made it an ideal base for small and medium-sized businesses specialising in the advanced engineering, sub-sea, marine, oil, gas or offshore renewable energy sectors.
As an Enterprise Zone, the Swans site appeals to firms because they’re able to take advantage of a number of benefits if they locate to the area before March 2018 - including up to five years’ business rate relief, a simplified planning scheme and superfast broadband.
The Centre for Innovation project has been part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, securing just over £1 million of ERDF investment.
The investment is part of a £100million project to redevelop the wider site, using a mix of funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Homes and Communities Agency, North East Local Enterprise Partnership, private sector and council investment.
For more information, or to enquire about the last remaining offices, visit www.investnorthtyneside.co.uk email business@northtyneside.gov.uk or call (0191) 643 6409.
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