Former Rio Tinto smelter renamed

The site of the former Rio Tinto smelter in Lynemouth is to be renamed ‘Northumberland Coastal Enterprise Centre’ as part of a major marketing plan to attract investors.

The 250 acre site operated since 1972 as a smelter but closed in 2012. Rio Tinto has since deployed a programme of Regional Economic Development (RED) to attract investors and create jobs.

The site already has its first tenant with the arrival of Aartoft Limited in late 2012, sending a clear signal that the RED programme is already beginning to work. Aartoft, operates in the construction sector and hopes to employ up to 40 people after taking up residence in 18,000 sq ft of space that was previously the smelter’s garage.

John McCabe, regional economic development director, Rio Tinto, said: “The smelter was a very well-known feature in the local community but we felt we needed to change our identity to reflect the potential future uses of the site.

“The new name says something about our location and will hopefully resonate with potential investors and those companies looking to take advantage of the site’s credentials in order to relocate or grow their business. Northumberland Coastal Enterprise Centre will be at the heart of the site marketing campaign and we hope it will become firmly established in the local business community.”

Nick Atkinson of chartered surveyors, DTZ, which is acting on behalf of Rio Tinto, said: “We see enormous potential for the site as the location for companies in the renewable energy, offshore oil, gas and engineering sectors.

“At this moment in time, we are open-minded as to whether it will be occupied by one main company or by a number of businesses.

“This is a unique location and the fact that it was home to a world class company such as Rio Tinto means that issues such as health and safety are of the highest level. It has many outstanding benefits, not least a substantial power infrastructure, great road and rail access and close proximity to the Port of Blyth.”

For further details on the site, details please contact Nick Atkinson, DTZ, on 0191 2235714.