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City of Teesside?


City of Teesside ... Sounds good doesn't it ?

It is my firm belief that we should reinvent ourselves and to begin that process it starts with the branding. Currently we known under the banner of "Tees Valley" and I like many feel this is not a worthy branding for an area with so much passion and heritage. Our area is known globally as Teesside, yet our government and local authorities wont allow something that unites us all.

To me, we need the correct branding and for me that is Teesside.

So with the branding sorted, I believe that our area would be better united together to become a City, with a population of over 600,000 this would easily be achievable and we can stand on our own feet to rival the likes of Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff. We have the capabilities to do this. Whether or not those in power locally agree is another matter and we all know how well the local government gets on with each other.

So we are branded, have become a city region ... now what ?

Well we focus and build on the industries that are leading the way. Teesside has an economy worth £11bn to the British GDP and we have sectors that are thriving, more so than any other area. Digital Media and technology, Low Carbon and Renewables and the tourism sector is set to see an increase with the planned opening of an indoor Ski Centre in Middlesbrough, add that to the International White Water Course and the various other sporting environments such as golf courses, cricket grounds and the Riverside Stadium. What is not to be excited about when visiting Teesside.

So we have our branding, we are a city, we have our thriving tourism sector to go with new enterprises and a low carbon approach. But what is missing ?

Well we all love the beach don't we ... and what about the countryside?

We live in an area that is 1 degree warmer than the rest of the North East and we boast some of the best beaches at Redcar, Saltburn and Marske. We are surrounded by the National Parks of the North Yorkshire Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the Pennines. At this point all I can see is £ signs!

If we where a City any where else in the world boasting so much, we would be going through a revolution and investment would be pouring in left, right and centre. 

But of course, we are no City, we are no major destination and why ... Well to me its simple, we think too small here on Teesside and we forget to shout about what we do have and I do firmly believe that those in power (nationally and locally) have lost sight of what our future should hold. We have been held back and as I have come to terms with ... the backwater of Britain. 



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