Hartlepool building shortlisted for heritage award

The BIS – a new £4m centre for the creative industries which is situated in the Grade 2-listed former Post Office building in Whitby Street – has been shortlisted in the Heritage category of the inaugural RICS Social Impact Awards 2020.

The awards celebrate the positive impact of the built environment and highlight excellence at a regional and national level.

Hartlepool Borough Council, the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and the Northern School of Art worked in partnership on ‘The BIS’ – a centre for ‘creating Businesses through Innovation and Skills’ – as part of a wider Council initiative to develop the Innovation and Skills Quarter around Church Street.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “I’m absolutely delighted The BIS has been shortlisted for this award.

“Not only has The BIS brought a much loved derelict building back into use, it also provides the perfect environment in which our new and existing businesses in the creative industries can grow and flourish.

“It will also help to keep the fantastic young talent coming out of Hartlepool’s colleges in the town when they graduate.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s fantastic that the BIS has been shortlisted for this award as it is key to retaining the brilliant creative talent emerging from Hartlepool.

“The excellent facility is central to the wider Innovation and Skills Quarter, supported by £6million of our funding, which will help businesses in this sector grow, invest and create jobs for years to come.”

The category winners and Project of the Year winner will be announced at the RICS Social Impact Awards on Friday 1 May 2020 at Newcastle Civic Centre.