THE next phase of a flagship development has been given the go ahead in the heart of Middlesbrough after councillors were told there is a demand for office space.

Members were told hundreds of jobs could be coming to four storey Six Centre Square in Melrose Street. It will join the two completed buildings One and Two Centre Square where up to a thousand office staff employed by four different companies are starting to move in.

Sarah Sabin of Seymour Architecture told the Planning Committee; "It is a common misconception that there is not a demand for office space due to the number of empty units.

"However, this is not the case. It is just these empty buildings are not fit for purpose and even with extensive investment would not meet the standards of a modern Grade A offices and the requirements of most modern occupiers. One and Two Centre Square have demonstrated there is a market for high quality developments, around 85 per cent of the 100,000 sq ft available is now let. These lettings were made during a global pandemic which has seen a significant change in the way that we work, yet the flexibility with the designs has ensured that they can meet the changing needs of business."