Partner Article

Lucrative opportunities in 1PLAN’s supply chain

BUSINESSES across the region were yesterday urged to position themselves in the multi-million-pound supply chain to a 20-year plan to transform Tyneside.

Despite impending public spending cuts and the sluggish rate of recovery, the team behind the 1PLAN vowed to plough on with the £190m blueprint in defiance of dire economic conditions.

City development company 1NG said it would continue to source investment nationally and internationally to realise the plans to redevelop key sites on Tyneside and develop a knowledge economy in the region.

1NG – which is backed by councils on either side of the Tyne, One North East and the Homes and Communities Agency – also opened the book on the hard-hitting study which formed the basis of the plan.

The region’s failure to compete in the business tourism arena and a “business winning effort” which is unfocused and poorly resourced were among the critical findings of the report.

1NG chair Lord Charles Falconer told bdaily that North East firms had an opportunity to get involved in the realisation of the plan, which aims to redvelop the Ouseburn, Gateshead Quays and Science Central site.

“We are trying to attract as many businesses and family trades as we can. We are trying to attract investment from other parts of the United Kingdom and abroad and build as many home grown business and industries as possible.

Meanwhile, Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry told 200 delegates at The Sage that economic uncertainty should not be allowed to hinder the plan.

“We are in a challenging economic situation so it’s all the more important for us to hold on to our long term vision,” he said.

1NG chief executive Jim McIntyre was similarly dismissive of any suggestion that plans should have been put on hold until brighter economic times.

“Some of the goals we set ourselves will take longer to achieve than we previously hoped but the project shows that even in difficult times with the right priorities we can make this happen.”

1NG is tasked with making Newcastle and Gateshead more competitive in the future by developing new knowledge-based industries.

Read bdaily in the coming months to chart the progress of the 1PLAN.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .