Getting Building Fund support sees expansion of AirView Park Enterprise Zone
Two new state-of-the-art flexible workspace buildings are currently being built on the AirView Park development in Woolsington following a £944k investment from government’s Getting Building Fund.
Strategically located next to Newcastle International Airport, AirView Park aims to grow the number of businesses in the North East involved in international trade and attract inward investment from startups and SMEs keen to take advantage of the region’s global trade links.
When complete, the two workspaces that form part of Phase Two of the development will have the potential to support up to 100 new SMEs and provide the flexibility for businesses to expand and grow, creating more local jobs and providing a boost to the North East economy.
The £944k awarded to developer Tynexe Commercial Ltd from the Getting Building Fund ensured essential infrastructure works could be delivered during the coronavirus pandemic and construction of the new employment sites could continue.
Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “By responding to the changes brought about by the pandemic and creating office space that meets the needs of businesses both now and in the future, the new developments at AirView Park have already generated a lot of interest.
“By focusing Getting Building Fund investment on key strategic sites like AirView Park, the North East LEP is helping to create the right environment for businesses to grow and create more and better jobs in the region.
“The development’s location next to Newcastle International Airport also supports the North East LEP’s ambition to increase the number of North East businesses that export goods and services from 6% to 9.5% by 2030.”
One of 21 Enterprise Zones sites across the North East, AirView Park aims to create more SME businesses focussed on growing and maximising trade and inward investment between North East England and the rest of the world. It also aims to attract UK or global companies looking to build or establish a strategic northern base, as well as fully support organisations wishing to take advantage of new and existing export routes.
The North East Trade and Export strategy – published in 2021 by the North East LEP, North East England Chamber of Commerce and Department for International Trade – showed approximately 4,500 businesses in the North East region (North East LEP and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas) currently export goods and services. Businesses in the North East LEP area that currently export goods and services typically generate over £15bn of revenue from exporting each year.
One of the new buildings will provide a dedicated Business Support Hub for North East SMEs, offering a physical service centre for export expansion. All key exporting services and resources will be co-located at the Hub, creating a launch pad for businesses to begin international trade.
The second building, Denyer Court, will offer multiple leased office units or a single occupancy HQ building.
Mike Clark, Director of Tynexe Commercial Limited, developers of AirView Park, added, “We are delighted to have the full support and backing of the North East LEP as the allocated grant funding has enabled us to progress the site at pace, delivering a high quality scheme to meet market demands at a time when needed.
“We are already receiving enquiries from potential new occupiers, some operating in emerging and fast growing industries, so we are very confident that Phase Two and AirView Park will become a key site for Newcastle and the wider North East economy.”
Mark Hunt, Chief Financial Officer at Newcastle International Airport, said: “The Airport provides multiple daily connections to some of the largest airport hubs across Europe and the Middle East, seamlessly connecting businesses in the region to the rest of the world. AirView Park is a prime site that provides a lot of opportunity for growth, export links and inward investment. We are very much looking forward to the completion of the scheme and welcoming the companies that choose to locate there.
“Global trade relations are key to the continued growth of the North East, and as we begin to see a way out of the economic downturn, our export links with countries like Pakistan are very important. Collaborations and strategic partnerships linking local companies with those overseas can help deliver a stronger recovery and so Newcastle International Airport, as a gateway to international markets, very much supports discussions like this with potential trade partners.”
Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for Resilient City, Cllr Alex Hay, who has responsibility for jobs and the economy, said: “AirView Park is going to be an important generator of jobs being so close to Newcastle International Airport – the main gateway to the region.
“The construction of these two buildings will form a key part of that development and provide a further boost to the local economy once they are filled with small to medium-sized businesses, so I warmly welcome them.”
When complete, AirView Park will offer 175,000 sq ft of bespoke offices, tailor-made to suit businesses looking to relocate to more cost effective out of town premises. AirView Park is already home to the national headquarters of Bellway Homes plc.
The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is managing £47m awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East.
The two new state-of-the-art flexible workspace buildings supported by the Getting Building Fund are due to be completed by the end of the year.
For more information about AirView Park visit www.airviewpark.co.uk.