(L-R): Clair Morton, Wilton Centre manager, Jacob Young MP, Steve Duffield, site director.

Teesside's refurbished Wilton Centre set to bring jobs back to the region

Redcar MP Jacob Young has said the Wilton Centre will play a key role in the new Teesside Freeport’s ambition to create 18,000 jobs over the next five years.

A freeport offers businesses a range of benefits including tax relief, simplified customs procedures and a streamlined planning process. Development land on the Wilton Centre site is included within the boundary of the Teesside Freeport. The main building and Technical Development Area are located just outside.

Speaking on a visit to see the results of the Wilton Centre’s £2m refurbishment, Mr Young – one of the main architects of the freeport plan - said: “We want to see businesses relocating to the Tees Valley, bringing their experience and bringing their expertise to our region, and Wilton Centre is a fantastic place to do that.”

Jacob Young MP said: “It’s got a real freshness to it. There is so much flexible office space and the new facilities, particularly in the restaurant, really unlock that potential for businesses. I think it’s great to offer it in Redcar and Cleveland.”

Sixty companies employing 750 people are based at the Wilton Centre. There are professional services firms as well as science-based businesses who benefit from laboratory and office space.

The centre is now owned by We are Pioneer Group (WAPG). WAPG was formed by a £120m merger between its previous owner Trinity IM and BioCity Group to create the UK’s largest network of science and tech-focused businesses, with 10 science parks covering nearly 3m sq ft and home to more than 600 hundred businesses.

Claire Morton, the accommodation manager at the Wilton Centre, said:“There is a real sense of excitement and our location makes us feel that we are right at the heart of it.”

“As part of the refurbishment we introduced numerous flexible spaces which are ideal for this type of working. Collaboration is not confined to the Wilton Centre. We are creating links between all WAPG’s sites to help businesses tap into this incredible network of knowledge and innovation.”

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