Mayor Visits Civil Engineering Firm Expanding into the Tees Valley

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has visited the new Middlesbrough office of growing business Story Contracting, who are currently redeveloping the town’s railway station and recruiting local people in the process.

The Mayor took the opportunity to meet the Story team, which is delivering the £34million station overhaul, including a 75-metre extension to platform two and a new entrance at the dilapidated undercroft ahead of a further phase to create a third platform.

Not only is Story expanding its footprint in the Tees Valley, eight staff are now based at the firm’s new offices to support the growing workforce operating on sites across the region. The company is currently advertising for six new members of staff to join the team based in Middlesbrough, with plans to further grow its regional workforce.

One local young person who has benefited from Story’s investment is Tyler Chambers, 19, from Middlesbrough.

The Story team met Tyler during a community day volunteering with local charity, Middlesbrough Environment City. At the time, Tyler was a Kickstart with the charity, but after impressing the team with his enthusiasm and drive, he was hired by Story as full time Trainee Site Engineer, working with the project team at Middlesbrough Station.

Tyler said: “I’m really grateful for this opportunity to not only work and earn but also to start my career working on a project which is on my doorstep and one which will benefit my local community.

“I am looking forward to gaining an insight into the roles of civil engineers and by shadowing them on day-to-day basis, develop myself and shape my future career.”

Mayor Houchen said: “I was delighted to visit Story to learn first-hand its plans for the region, how it is going further to support people from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool into good-quality, well-paid jobs while backing our local groups and charities. It’s obviously great news that businesses like Story are expanding into our area, but it’s even better when they pledge to help their communities and go further in driving the changes we’re also working toward.

“It is doing fantastic work in upgrading Middlesbrough station which, just last month, saw the first Azuma train leave to connect the town to London thanks to our intervention. That it’s dedicated to do so by creating jobs for our young people like Tyler is just the icing on the cake.

“Opening its latest office here shows its commitment to the area and highlights how, as we continue our transformative projects across the region, there is plenty of opportunity for other firms to relocate for a long and successful life.”

Dan Jones, Operations Director at Story Contracting, said: “It’s an exciting time to be a part of Story Contracting with the opening of our new Middlesbrough office and the growing workbank across the region. We are looking forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Network Rail, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and Middlesbrough Council and collaborating with them and the local supply chain to deliver improved transport links in the region.

“Now we’ve got an office in the Tees Valley, it allows us to strengthen our investment in local people and the region. From investing in the next generation of skilled workers, to supporting community groups and charities, we are ensuring we leave a long-lasting positive legacy in Middlesbrough, providing a boost to the economy and widening employment opportunities for the local residents.”

The Middlesbrough railway station redevelopment was awarded £22.5million of funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority with further support from Network Rail, Middlesbrough Council and the Department for Transport.