BIC appointed to run Sunderland business hubs

A North East business support organisation is set to oversee a trio of commercial hubs as part of efforts to drive economic growth across Sunderland.

Sunderland City Council has appointed the North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) as managing agent for Sunderland Software Centre, Evolve Business Centre and Washington Business Centre. 

The move aims to maximise the impact of the three sites while ensuring cost-effective management.

The BIC secured the contract following strong interest, drawing on its track record of supporting business growth and delivering economic impact across the region. 

Established more than three decades ago, the organisation now operates multiple centres housing over 300 businesses, ranging from start-ups to established firms.

Peter McIntyre, executive director of economy and place at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are delighted to have appointed the BIC as the managing agent of these three key business centres.

“The centres are already home to strong business communities which contribute significantly to the city’s economy and in the BIC we have a partner who we know can help build on this.

“Through their proven approach to managing their existing centres and their support programmes, they have demonstrated their ability to drive collaboration and create working environments with business growth and a real sense of community at their heart. 

“We are looking forward to working closely together, drawing on their experience and expertise, and I’m sure our tenants will really feel the benefit of them coming on board.”

Since opening in 2006, 2012 and 2014 respectively, the three Sunderland centres have supported a wide range of companies, helping to boost local enterprise and job creation. 

They currently operate at around 71 per cent occupancy, with continued demand from new and expanding businesses.

Peter added: “The majority of the organisations in our business centres are small to medium sized businesses whose impact on the city economy cannot be overstated.

“By bringing in an experienced managing agent to work with us, we are hopeful it will provide the perfect environment for those businesses – and new tenants – to realise their full potential and continue creating opportunities for local people. 

“It has all the hallmarks of a fantastic partnership, and we look forward to working with the team to ensure the businesses in our centres have access to the very best support and facilities to enable them to achieve their goals.”

Through its programmes, the BIC has supported more than 8000 start-ups and helped over 1000 businesses to grow and innovate.

The new appointment is expected to strengthen the role of the centres in supporting Sunderland’s business community and wider economy

Paul McEldon OBE, chief executive of the BIC, added: “We are absolutely thrilled that our team will be supporting Evolve, Sunderland Software Centre and Washington Business Centre, providing the same high level of service to their tenants as those who are based in the BIC’s own portfolio of properties.

“Over the past 32 years, we have welcomed hundreds of businesses into the BIC business community, the majority of which have gone on to grow into larger premises at our centres or elsewhere in the city, which really encapsulates what we are all about.

“As a social enterprise, the BIC prides itself on bringing people together to collaborate, improve access to support and funding and, ultimately, provide the best possible workspace to ensure the region’s businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs have all of the tools they need to succeed, and hopefully this is something that will really benefit existing tenants and those who will walk through its doors in the future. 

“We can’t wait to get started.”

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