August 2015
First RGN Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund investment approved
The Sill is the first major project in the rural North East to receive Strategic
Economic Infrastructure Fund (SEIF) investment. The RGN Executive Group
on July 17th agreed to fund a £1m investment.
Launched in March, the SEIF fund is designed to stimulate investment in
the development of business infrastructure in rural areas, support
investment in strategic tourism assets, as well as support infrastructure
works needed to unlock employment development sites.
The Sill Project will become the UK’s first dedicated Landscape Discovery
Centre and will provide a wide-range of business and enterprise benefits
including creating at least 120 jobs, contributing almost £5m annually in
visitor spending to the North East economy and providing a unique
training and education facility for future generations. The centre will also
house a rural enterprise hub for 10-20 businesses.
SEIF is one of the new schemes which are funded by the North East Local
Enterprise Partnership Local Growth Deal.
Over 100 Business Units Achieved
The Rural Growth Network Pilot’s capital investment was focussed on aiding locally
designed ‘enterprise hubs’ to create new, flexible workspaces with shared services,
opportunities for networking and access to support services.
This last quarter has seen the achievement of over 100 business support units
across the rural area by the completion of Kirkley Hall.
Due to formally launch 1st September, Kirkley Hall campus offers workshop, office
and retail space for small businesses. The hub will also be of interest to local rural
businesses looking to rent space or hot-desk. The site also provides meeting
rooms, conference facilities and a tea room.
For further information visit http://ruralconnect.biz/hubs/kirkleyhall/welcome-to-kirkley-hall.html
Rural Growth Network Team now in place
As the Pilot Phase of the Rural Growth Network draws to a completion, the team that will take forward the next
stage has come on board and is based at Arch – the Northumberland Development Company.
Jacqui Kell, Chair of the RGN Executive Committee and
Director of Business Strategy oversees the Economic Growth
team, headed by Julie Dodds. The team includes Lisa Harwood
as programme manager with Julie Bullen and Louise Liddle
taking up roles as Implementation Officers, responsible for the
Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund (SEIF) and the Rural
Business Growth Fund (RBGF).
With the first call for SEIF well under way the team will be
seeking to support businesses that are looking to grow and
develop across rural areas in Durham, Gateshead and
Northumberland.
For more details see www.archnorthumberland.co.uk
Hexham Enterprise Hub @Eastburn
@Eastburn Hub is a professional, inspiring and friendly environment set
within the tranquil grounds of Northumberland National Park and
provides networking opportunities in an enabling setting, with access
to superfast broadband and Wi-Fi, all within easy walking distance of
Hexham town centre.
The accommodation available includes office pods, room and hot desk
packages and an Associate Membership offer which gives people the
chance to access the bright and airy Garden Annexe communal
meeting space for short meetings. There is also a selection of meeting
room packages available with rooms kitted out with Apple and Mac
compatible Smart TV’s.
@Eastburn Hub has been operating for just over a year and currently
has 12 different businesses working from the site.
For further information please contact:[email protected]
or call 01434 605 555 or visit http://goo.gl/0EaedK
Our thanks and best wishes go to Ray Browning, RGN Programme Manager of the Pilot who moved on in
June to continue his work as Programme Manager within NELEP
For further information please contact:
Julie Bullen | North East Rural Growth Network Implementation Officer
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 01670 528476