Welcome
The Hartlepool Southern Business Zone runs predominantly along Brenda Road in Hartlepool and has significant importance within Hartlepool as the premier employment zone and a major economic base within the wider sub region. (See SBZ Map)
The business community within the Southern Business Zone area have a range of opportunities available to them but potential is hampered by a set of deep-seated economic problems. Key issues include a general lack of quality sites and premises available that meet the needs of modern businesses, high levels of crime and vandalism, poor skill levels of the local workforce, difficulties recruiting and retaining staff, inadequate infrastructure, productivity issues, low start ups, as well as a generally poor working environment.
A consortium consisting of ECOTEC, EC Harris and the Harris Partnership have been commissioned by Hartlepool Borough Council to undertake a study to inform the improvement of the Hartlepool Southern Business Zone (SBZ). The study has been split into two main phases.
The aims of Phase 1 of the study are to understand the current offer of the SBZ and identify its key economic characteristics, to collect the views of a large number of different stakeholders about the SBZ including strategic regional players, representatives of Hartlepool Borough Council, developers, property agents and, very importantly, local businesses presently located in the SBZ. To assess the physical state of the SBZ taking into consideration issues such as scale, location, appearance, usage, open space, public realm, green infrastructure and building character. To understand the strategic context within which any vision and action plan will need to sit and assess the main policy drivers for the SBZ.
Phase 2 of the study will use the results of this phase to develop the Vision and Action Plan for the Hartlepool SBZ. The Action Plan represents a focus for change for a key economic driver of the Tees Valley. It sets out a vision for the Hartlepool Southern Business Zone (SBZ) that will allow it to contribute to and benefit from the economic growth of the Tees Valley and the wider North East region. The Action Plan identifies a portfolio of proposals which will improve the SBZ, both in terms of its ability to secure new private investment but also in relation to helping the indigenous business community in the SBZ to grow and prosper. The Action Plan will therefore ensure that the future regeneration of the SBZ is evidence based, planned and strategic in nature.
Both the complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 reports are available as PDFs to view below. If you have any comments on any of the proposals for the Hartlepool SBZ then please email israr.hussain@hartlepool.gov.uk
Hartlepool SBZ Phase 1 - Final
