And now the town is proving a magnet for businesses, with companies ranging from solicitors’ firms to exciting digital start-ups laying down roots there. The regeneration project was led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, and shows how public sector leadership can attract private sector investment.

A fine example of this is Beaumont House, on Church Road. Its landlord and manager of Reefstream Ltd, Jeff Highfield, is a proud Stocktonian himself and wanted to play his part in bringing more business to the area.
Last year, Jeff invested approximately £350,000 in revamping Beaumont House and selling office space to local companies.

Since then Beaumont House has gained many occupants within the building, including your very own Gossip Magazine and Devlin Walker Ltd.

The success has inspired Jeff to undertake another renovation project with neighbouring building Gloucester House. He plans to make it into around 40 luxury offices all with 500MB Internet, an onsite car park with 130 spaces, and conference facilities with gym and pool facilities right on the doorstep.

The Council’s Chief Executive, Neil Schneider, said: “It’s great to see more and more businesses choosing to take up residence in and around Stockton town centre and it’s a real vote of confidence in all the town centre has to offer.

“We are a business friendly Borough and wish Jeff well in this venture, which will see more exciting companies join our business community.” And in March, the Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Ian Dalgarno, visited Beaumont House to see for himself the positive impact created by bringing businesses into Stockton.