Middlesbrough acts as the city-centre for the Teesside area and the wider Tees Valley city region. With a population of 720,000 people, this is the largest conurbation in the country not served by a recognised city.
Little more than a village at the start of the 19th century, the town’s burgeoning iron and steel industry would see Gladstone dub it an ‘Infant Hercules’ , an engine room of the industrial revolution
The town plays a pivotal role at the commercial and administrative heart of Teesside and wider Tees Valley area, with a thriving retail sector, award-winning schools and colleges, cutting edge culture and burgeoning regeneration projects.
Q&A: Frequently asked questions about the City Status bid
Why are towns being invited to apply to become cities?
In January 2010, the Government announced that as part of the celebrations
for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2010, applications for city status would be
invited from local authorities on behalf of their towns.
Why is Middlesbrough applying for city status?
- City status for Middlesbrough would bring benefits to Teesside and the
720,000 people who live and work in the wider Tees Valley - A successful bid would raise Middlesbrough’s, Teesside’s and the Tees Valley’s profile regionally, nationally and internationally
- It will help lever in further investment
- It will boost local pride
- Middlesbrough’s reputation as a destination for leisure and culture will be strengthened
- Middlesbrough’s educational institutions will be supported through increased student numbers and the retention of graduates
- Regional organisations and businesses will increasingly look to Middlesbrough as the location of choice for offices and headquarters. It is the logical next step in the on-going campaign to brand Middlesbrough as a successful, vibrant location with lots to offer
How has Middlesbrough improved since its last application for City Status in 2002?
Middlesbrough has changed dramatically since 2002. Vast improvements in
the town include:
- Centre Square is one of the UK’s biggest civic open spaces, with a growing reputation as one of the region’s best venues for entertainment, events and socialising. It’s also home to mima, the town’s stunning modern art institute which has a growing national and international reputation
- The Boho Zone is home to a world class cluster of creative digital businesses in the historic St Hilda’s area
- Middlehaven, the UK’s first major zero carbon residential, leisure and commercial development, is transforming the town’s former dockland area.
- In Temenos, Middlehaven is also home to a major public art project by internationally acclaimed sculptor Anish Kapoor
- Teesside University has expanded at an unprecedented rate – it has spent £120 million on its campus since 2002 and now boasts more than 28,000 students. It was also The Times’ ‘University of the Year for 2010’.
- Middlesbrough College has moved into an iconic new £68 million campus,which has won awards from the British Urban Regeneration Association and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
- Cleveland College of Art and Design is one of only four specialist art and design colleges in the country
- Middlesbrough has one of the largest shopping centres in the North East England - public realm improvements such as the pedestrianisation of parts of Linthorpe and Corporation Road have significantly helped improve the retail core
- Five of Middlesbrough’s parks have been awarded Green Flag status, the national excellence standard for green spaces
- Middlesbrough Council was awarded Beacon status for tackling climate change in 2008 and the town enjoys the status of Environment City, one of only four in the country.
Who decides if Middlesbrough is granted City Status?
City Status is granted by the Queen on the advice of her Ministers. Bid documents are submitted by May 27, 2011.
Can the whole of Teesside or the Tees Valley apply for City Status collectively?
No, applications must be made by local authorities on behalf of their towns, and as such, the status can only extend as far as that particular local authority’s administrative boundary.
Who is applying for City Status?
Places that have applied for City Status are Bolton, Bournemouth, Chelmsford, Colchester, Coleraine, Corby, Craigavon, Croydon, Doncaster, Dorchester, Dudley, Gateshead, Goole, Luton, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Perth, Reading, Southend, St Asaph, St Austell, Stockport, Tower Hamlets, Wrexham.
How much will it cost to apply for City Status?
The Council is working with partners to minimise the costs of making the application. Sponsorship from businesses and other partners is being sought, and it is hoped that in the end there will be no, or very little, additional cost to the Council. By asking residents, community organisations, businesses and agencies to get involved in the bid it will be possible to show the amount of support behind the bid without spending significant amounts of money.
Can local people get involved in the campaign?
The application for City Status is very much about the people of Middlesbrough and the wider area. The City Status campaign will raise the area’s profile and help spread positive messages about where we live, work and play. It is vital that everyone supports the application and the campaign will include lots of ways for people to get involved over the next few months.
Wider Benefits of City Status Research
Case Studies
Sunderland
Sunderland was given city status in 1992 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession. Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council, noted that city status has
- Helped raise Sunderland’s status on the national and international stage and forged strong cultural and business partners in China and across the world;
- Made Sunderland synonymous with technological and industrial advance – it is now the UK home of Nissan and many other large multi-national companies;
- Helped Sunderland become internationally recognised as a centre for IT development through Software City;
- Enabled Sunderland to lead the region in attracting inward investment; and,
- Given Sunderland a stronger voice on the domestic and world stage when putting forward the case for the skills and abilities of the people, the business community and the city.
Newport
Newport was awarded city status in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden
Jubilee. Councillor Matthew Evans, Leader of Newport City Council, explained that city
status has:
- Helped to raise Newport’s profile;
- Given Newport more money for regeneration projects to improve infrastructure, from highways to a new railway station, a city centre university campus and new schools;
- Enabled Newport to build world-class facilities such as the Velodrome and as a result it has attracted Olympic athletes to train in the city;
- Attracted major businesses to the city – Admiral, ONS, HM prison service, Yell.com, EADS, Wales and West Utilities; and,
- Helped Newport become a key centre for the public sector and a key location for government headquarters outside of London.
Preston
Preston was the last town to be awarded city status, in 2002. Preston City Council’s Head
of Communications claims that city status has benefited Preston in terms of:
- Boosting local pride;
- Giving people a sense of community;
- Raising the university's profile and making it more successful;
- Attracting investment: TalkTalk set up in Preston shortly after they gained the status;
- A Centre for Cities report recently highlighted that Preston is one of the top five places in the country in terms of its economic growth; and,
- Publicity: Preston has received greater recognition nationally and internationally.