Ian Williams Director of Economic Growth Darlington A

Ian Williams Director of Economic Growth Darlington – A Growing Economy Markets Engagement Day – 16 June 2016

What is Darlington's economy telling us? The Key Facts • The catchment population for Darlington Town Centre is over 300, 000 • 72. 7% of Darlington residents are in employment which out performs the Tees Valley average of 68. 5% • Unemployment is currently 6. 8% reducing from 8. 1% last year, again the Tees Valley average is much higher at 8. 4% • Darlington employees have an average FT weekly salary of £ 517. 80 or just under £ 27, 000 pa, highest of 12 North East authorities • Darlington’s resident’s average weekly FT salary is £ 484 or just over £ 25, 000 pa • There are 50, 100 jobs in Darlington 67. 5% are full time, 32. 5% part time

Darlington is leading the way for economic growth in the region* • The best performing economy in NE for third consecutive quarter • Better than all UK regional average figures outside of London • Darlington’s economy has grown by 2. 9% (y/y for Q 2 2015) • Darlington also came top in; Q 1 2015 (3. 3% growth) and Q 4 2014 (3. 4% growth) * RBS/Nat. West Growth Tracker report Q 2 2015 – October 2015

Seventh BEST place to live in the UK • In 2015 Darlington was voted seventh best place to live in the UK by two separate independent reviews, based on life satisfaction, house prices and average incomes • In addition to this Darlington featured in the Hot 100 retail locations

Where are we? • Darlington currently has 4, 798 businesses including sole traders – this has increased by 80 since May 2015 • Darlington’s business survival rate by third year is 57. 9% this is 5 th of 12 North East authorities but still above the national average of 57. 1% • Darlington’s economy (GVA) has grown by 8. 9% between 2013 and 2014, this is 5 th highest percentage growth nationally of 228 areas, the top four are all London Boroughs

What have we, as the Council, done to grow local economy? Developed a local plan core strategy which outlines key growth locations in the Borough and an economic strategy for Darlington (2012 -2026) which aims to rebalance the economy and create jobs and investment into the area. As a result of this major investment has been secured for the town which totals over £ 150 M and includes: • £ 38 M investment on Central Park for National Biologics Manufacturing Centre • £ 6. 6 M business central hub on central park encouraging start-up businesses • £ 13 M Teesside University Darlington campus opened • £ 50 M of external funding to deliver £ 500 M worth of economic projects across the Borough • £ 420 K investment in superfast Broadband

What have we, as the Council, done to vitalise the Town Centre • • • Planning Policies to protect the Town Centre from out of town users. Flexible policies to encourage living, working and leisure in the Town Centre Developed a Town Centre Action Plan that has delivered: v New £ 30 m Cinema Complex v New MSCP to serve the southern part of the Town Centre v £ 8 m DFE building v £ 15 m investment in public realm Pedestrian Heart v Improvements to the inner ring road, Stone Bridge and Feethams Bus Interchange area v £ 1. 5 m in establishing a Business Improvement District • Town Centre Action Plan – next Priorities are: v Secure Grade A office development in Feethams v Complete the Riverside Park v Redevelopment of Beaumont Street Car Park

Town Centre - the heart of Darlington • Approximately 80% of the Town Centre’s shops/businesses are local independents • The leisure/social/food sector is growing much more than traditional retails as it is based on an Vision Riverside ‘experience’, something that cannot be bought on line. • New units that have recently opened are: v Manhattans Bar, Bondgate v The Cake Boutique, Duke Street v Panini, Skinnergate v Truly Crumbitious, Post House Wynd

Town Centre - the heart of Darlington Northumberland Sausage Company opened a stall in the Market operating as ‘Sausology’ Riverside Vision The Health Warehouse has expanded into street food markets, operating as ‘The Green Guerrilla’ following a successful trial at the Food Festival three years ago Owner of the Hole in the Wall public house and Avalon restaurant is a partner of the new ‘Rocket Town Brewery’, specialising in craft beers that are brewed in Darlington

Town Centre - the heart of Darlington Food Festival : held 14 -15 May 2016 • Comprised of Producers Market / Street Food / Chef and Riverside Vision Mixology Demonstrations / Tastings Programme and Awards / Street Entertainment • 5. 3% increase in attendance across the weekend compared to the 2015 event • 20% of the stalls were independent food and drink businesses based in the Town Centre

What’s Next? • Masterplan delivery for Bank Top Station – creating business case for Rail investment • Strategic Road network, East / West study – making case for A 66 link • Biologics Factory of the Future – planned investment approved by Tees Valley Combined Authority • National Horizons Centre planned investment approved • Infrastructure on key sites • Place making and heritage • Combined Authority and Devolution

Questions?