Efforts to attract new investment and jobs to one of North East England’s largest industrial sites have been taken to a global level with the launch of a new marketing website.
Northumberland Coastal Enterprise Centre (NCEC), site of a former Rio Tinto-owned aluminium smelter, is being marketed at home and abroad via the dedicated website www.ncec.uk.com.
At 255 acres the site is one of the largest brownfield locations available in the North East, providing extensive development potential to the industrial investment market.
Nick Atkinson, National Industrial and Logistics Director of commercial property agents DTZ believes the website is an important tool in promoting NCEC’s appeal: “With a site of this scale it’s important to have something very visual to put in front of interested parties to present the full concept of what we’re taking to market. Unless you’re already familiar with the site it would be difficult to appreciate its size, diversity and full potential without a website of this nature,” explained Nick.
One of NCEC’s main selling points is its connectivity to vital transport links. As well as its close proximity to the A1 and A189 dual carriageway, the site is linked directly to the Port of Blyth by a fully maintained rail line, while Newcastle International Airport is just 25 minutes away.
“This is a major piece of land to take to the market and Rio Tinto have been clear from the outset they are looking to attract sustainable investment that will bring good quality employment to South East Northumberland,” said Nick.
As well as marketing the site domestically, Rio Tinto is also working with UK Trade and Investment and the British Embassy network to promote NCEC’s potential to overseas investors.
Decommissioning of the former smelter buildings is on-going, creating a largely cleared, rail-connected brownfield site with ancillary buildings and expansion capability.
