An innovative business centre, which has played a fundamental role in Darlington’s economic regeneration, is celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Business Central threw open its doors back in 2015, providing the town’s first Grade A office space and establishing a vibrant business community at the heart of the developing Central Park site.
Owned by Darlington Borough Council and managed by the North East BIC, the centre was designed to offer businesses an alternative to traditional office space. Facilities and services aimed to help support the wellbeing of entrepreneurs and create an environment where their businesses could thrive.
Vanessa Wood, the BIC’s Regional Property Manager, has been involved in the centre since the planning stage. She has helped Business Central to evolve over the past decade to suit how tenants want to work – offering everything from a gym and micro spa to a podcast studio and outside space.
She said: “It was a brave and bold decision by Darlington Council to break the mould of traditional office space and invest in something much more aspirational for Darlington that matched the potential we knew was out there in the business community.
“Business Central was the first speculative build of its kind in the town. Thank goodness we did because it really paid off. The ‘build it and they will come’ approach became a catalyst for business start-up and growth.
“Over the ten years, we’ve had the privilege of sharing in the lives and success of our brilliant tenants. Businesses have developed and grown, taking on new staff, winning prestigious contracts, delivering important projects for our region and working around the globe for clients including governments and international royal families.
“Some tenants have become so successful they’ve outgrown us, moving out and buying properties of their own. Nurturing this whole ecosystem is the ultimate goal of the project so we’re delighted when tenants fly the nest!”
With occupancy rates at Business Central consistently high, a sister site Innovation Central was opened just along the road in 2022 to cope with demand.
The two centres now create a connected community at Central Park – sharing access to business support, networking events and social gatherings. They have supported more than 1,000 businesses to start up and expand in sectors ranging from robotics to recruitment.
They are home to Darlington Business Club, they host regular events for organisations including the NHS, LNER, and Fuji, have been used as locations for film and documentary makers, and have welcomed celebrities and local stars alike as podcast guests and visitors.
A celebration event at Business Central marked the centre’s milestone, with current and former tenants coming together with the management team, council and neighbouring Central Park organisations. Among them were two of Business Central’s very first clients, PR agency Harvey and Hugo, and industrial automation company Optimal who both remain tenants today.
Daniel Sanderson is Centre Manager for both hubs now. He said: “Business Central and Innovation Central are run differently to commercial business centres. They have social purpose – not profits – at their core and you can really feel that when you step through the door.
“We are genuinely invested in the success of our tenants and we will do everything we can to help them on their journey.
“We treat every business equally – whether that’s one guy working from his bedroom or an international company. Everyone is treated with the same level of thought, effort and hospitality and our tenants really appreciate that.”
The Central Park development has grown up around the centre since its launch, with plots developed by the likes of CPI and Teesside University.
Vanessa added: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here in Darlington and best of all, we’ve had so much fun doing it!
“Now we’ve proved what we can do, we’re looking for our next challenge. We want to replicate this success elsewhere and we’re actively looking for the next project to manage in the North East.”
Chris McEwan, Deputy Leader and Economy Portfolio Holder at Darlington Borough Council, said: “Congratulations on reaching this remarkable milestone! A decade of nurturing businesses is no small feat – it’s a testament to perseverance, innovation, and dedication.
“It has been great to see so many new businesses start and grow here, and now it’s recognised as a great place to start a new business in Darlington. After an amazing 10 years of success, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Business Central and Innovation Central. The 10th anniversary is a great time to celebrate both the success stories and the exciting future ahead.”
