Middlesbrough “flagship” office development welcomes prominent new occupiers

A Middlesbrough office development has welcomed two of the UK’s most prominent firms of barristers to its Centre Square building.

Dere Street Barristers and Park Square Barristers will join the XPS Pensions Group in the 2 Centre Square building.

Phil Paxton, head clerk of Dere Street Barristers, said: “We have been looking for some time at acquiring a premises in Middlesbrough to help service the needs of our clients in this region and it has taken a while to find a place that meets our requirements. We are very pleased that 2 Centre Square ticks all of our boxes.”

Richard Sadler, senior managing clerk, Park Square Barristers, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to secure these premises which will provide the perfect foundation for growing our business and our brand in the North East.”

The Centre Square project launched six years ago, in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, with the aim of revitalising the heart of the town by attracting employers offering well-paid jobs

Mark Ashall, developer of Ashall Projects, said: “There are now companies in Centre Square employing hundreds of people and many of them have plans to recruit additional staff. That’s great news for all the people who have been hired as well as the local shops, restaurants and bars who will feel the benefit of the increased spending power in the town centre.”

Andy Preston, Middlesbrough Mayor added: ““This is more fantastic news. It is further evidence that, despite COVID, Middlesbrough is re-emerging as the regional hub for jobs, energy and investment.”

In July, Middlesbrough Council also approved an outline planning application for three further Centre Square buildings which together would have room for around 1,000 office workers.

Stephen Brown, senior partner of Dodds Brown, the commercial property specialist who has helped secure the arrival of the new occupiers, added: “For too long Middlesbrough has been by-passed by employers because it didn’t have the standard of office they required.

“Centre Square has changed all that. But now the first two buildings are nearly full we must not rest on our laurels. More high-quality space must be provided to ensure we don’t miss out again, particularly as there’s going to be high demand for offices from the global companies which will be operating out of the freeport for years to come.”