31 Dec 2021, 12:04 pm
#140
(31 Dec 2021, 8:22 am)Storx Personally I think Cobalt will do alright as it's quite easy to get to and has useful amenities on the doorstep like The Village for example for people to stop over and it's just off the A19 but in taxi distance from Newcastle Central. I believe BT/EE has already committed for it to be one of it's new hubs for call centres and Sage has just moved it's HQ there which will always be there. Similar with Quorum I think will survive long term aswell being so close to Newcastle with BT/EE also committing to keeping the massive call centre opposite near Greggs (who also won't be going anywhere).
It's the likes of Peterlee, Rainton, Regent Centre and Doxford Park which are in big trouble. In the middle of nowhere with nothing at all for people wanting to stay over or awkward to get to using long distance public transport. EE at Doxford is on borrowed time imo.
Rainton Bridge is slap bang between the A1 and A19. Doxford Intl couldn't get closer to the A19 unless it was located in the central reservation.
They're both just as close to railway stations (Durham for Rainton Bridge) and Sunderland Doxford Park - if not closer, than Quorum is to Central Station.
Granted buses to both parks are limited (as most are), but Rainton Bridge have just had Just Eat move in. The other side is full of JIT suppliers to Nissan who sit alongside NEA, TWFRS and Fed Ex.
The previous owners of the Rainton Meadows arena has long pushed for a budget chain hotel to be built on the site.
Until it comes off (if it ever does), visitors to both business parks, have the choice of the Chilton Country Club, the Highfield Hotel or the Ramside. All within spitting distance.
Sunderland Council have just spent a fortune on the A19/A690 interchange and they're improving pedestrian access to Doxford Intl (cos public transport provision in to the park is poor and people tend to get off the bus on Durham Road).
Sunderland Council have also just released plans to allocate part of the A690 in the Houghton area to cycle lanes. Presumably to encourage commuters to Rainton Bridge, to make the switch.
I'm not aware of any sites on Rainton being empty and the only one that's empty on Doxford (that I'm aware of), is the old Reg Vardy Head Office. Apart from a short period of use when the Stoneygate site was being redeveloped and it pretended it was a dealership, Stratstone/Evans Halshaw (Pendragon) have been trying to flog it for the best part of 15 years.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
