The publishers behind Aycliffe Business’ sister magazines have expanded to larger offices, moving into the historic home of Middlesbrough’s founding fathers.
Resolution Media and Publishing – which publishes the Tees Business, Wear Business and Tees Life magazines – has taken three offices on the first floor at Plenary BV House in Queen’s Square – formerly Cleveland Buildings and home to Teesside’s pioneering ironmasters, Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan, between 1841 and 1860.
Resolution director Martin Walker, who created the Aycliffe Business magazine eight years ago, and his business partner Dave Allan are hopeful they can still press on with their growth plans.
Martin said: “We’re facing uncertain times and Resolution isn’t without its challenges as we try to navigate our way through the aftershock of the pandemic.
“But we remain committed to our growth plans and this is a statement of our intent to continue building on the work of the last five years.
“We’re delighted and very proud to be moving and expanding into such an iconic and historic building.”
Middlesbrough’s oldest building on the north side of the A66, Plenary BV House – also known as Boho Seven – includes the saloon room fireplace from the ocean liner Aquitania, which was scrapped in Faslane, Scotland, in 1950.
Occupied by accountants Gilchrist Tash before Plenary bought it in 2011, the imposing building has three floors and a cellar, complete with an old safe room where valuable documents were once kept.
Of the 6,500 square feet of office space, most of it is rented out, with tenants including brand agency Better and Plenary’s sister company, FNVI.
Resolution non-executive director Bob Cuffe said: “The move to this iconic building is an incredibly positive one by Dave and Martin.
“They – and the Resolution business – are absolutely rooted in Teesside and these offices are perhaps the region’s finest in terms of history, heritage and significance.
“Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan were the founding fathers of Middlesbrough and drove its dramatic growth, and their building is the perfect setting for the next chapter in Resolution’s history.
“Making this move at this time is a positive and confident move by Dave and Martin – it reflects their success in recent years and their ambitions for the future.
“It will be great to see our partners and clients in the boardroom in the weeks and months ahead. These are exciting times and I look forward to helping the team realise their ambitions in the region.”
Chris McGlade, from landlords Plenary Project Solutions, who acquired the building nine years ago, added: “We’re very happy to welcome Resolution Media and Publishing to Plenary BV House, as publishers of the region’s thriving business magazine.
“The building is close to fully occupied now – we only have two offices remaining – so it will be fantastic to see it full of people as we see social distancing measures relaxed in the coming months.”
