location, relocation, expansion, portal

• Metrocentre

• Sunderland Software City

• Quorum Business Park

• Cobalt Business Park

• Newcastle Science City

Tyne and Wear City Region is currently conducting an economic review of the region. The main aim of this review will be to develop a programme of research, knowledge generation and exchange. This will enable partners to develop their
understanding of the City Region economy, by producing a greater awareness of how the different places, markets and sectors within the City Region interact. This provides a key stage in developing a future high level sustainable economic strategy for the City Region if, at the end of the review, partners decide on.

The economic review will provide a key input to the development of the Integrated
Regional Strategy. The review will also provide a forum to add strategic value to local authorities’ own work on economic assessments and economic masterplans. In
addition, the review will provide an improved evidence base to take forward the City
Region’s multi area agreement (MAA).

A significant amount of background work has been undertaken in 2008 and 2009, to lay the foundations for the economic review. The research programme will be completed in June 2010.

Planned Developments

Metrocentre

Metrocentre is the No 1. shopping and leisure centre in the UK - and the largest in Europe. Based in Gateshead, the Centre has over 330 stores, 50 restaurants and an Odeon Cinema, offering everything you need to enjoy a day of shopping, dining and leisure.

Metrocentre is stocked full of key designer and cost conscious brands with new retailers coming onboard all the time. The Centre boasts several department stores including Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser. This year sees the launch of the stylish ‘Metrocentre Qube’, the new leisure and dining area, in the yellow mall.

Sunderland Software City

Sunderland Software City is a new initiative, based in the North East of England, designed to inspire and encourage the growth of the Software Industry in the region.

Software City work with and support a range of software businesses and also work with companies from outside the UK who are looking to locate to the region.

A range of programmes and services have been designed to stimulate creativity and growth, and to meet the specific needs of your business and the wider software sector. These services include:

• Finance
• Business Skills and Support
• Technical Skills and Support
• Accessing Markets
• Infrastructure

Quorum Business Park

Currently the largest speculative office development in England, with over 42,000sqm of high specification office space currently under construction. In total the scheme will consist of 90,000sqm and will be home to a 10,000 person workforce.

Quorum offers first class amenities with shops, hotel, tennis courts, 5 a side football pitch and nursery all being built.

Sustainability is high on the agenda at Quorum. The new buildings at Quorum are built to a BREEAM Excellent standard and over 500 trees are being planted as part of the new landscaping.

Cobalt Business Park

In just ten years, Cobalt Business Park has become the most successful office scheme in the UK. So far, more than 1.25 million sq ft of offices have been constructed at Cobalt that will grow to 2.25 million sq ft when the park is complete, making it the largest business park in the UK.

• There are currently over 9,000 people employed at Cobalt
• Cobalt Park sits adjacent to a 39 acre country park
• Cobalt Park has its own 157 bedroom De Vere Hotel and Leisure Club
• Cobalt Park has two dedicated travel coordinators for the sole use of its occupiers

Newcastle Science City

Science City was established in April 2009 to understand and work with the science market place in Newcastle and the region. It also aims to be the recognised authority for the promotion of Newcastle as a globally renowned venue for the promotion of science, enterprise and innovation.

It will achieve this by:

• Connecting customers abroad with communities of science and innovation citizens within the Region
• Creating jobs and businesses from novel compelling insights
• Supporting science enterprise projects in the Region
• Identifying and linking scientific real estate needs with providers in Newcastle city centre
• Supporting community engagement