North East deals of the week: key contracts, investments and acquisitions

The world’s most advanced wind turbine testing facility is to be built in the North East on the back of an £86m investment. The development at Blyth, Northumberland, comes as part of the Government investment in wind power that aims to create growth while slashing carbon emissions.

The new Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult facility will test and certify 150m-long turbines blades, with the capacity to expand to test 180m-long blades in the future, meaning it will be able to verify the world’s longest blades. The launch of the site - which will also test the latest drive-train technology, enabling manufacturers to develop and improve their products more quickly - comes as a separate study suggests that the North East is among the top locations in the UK to cash in on expected jobs and economic growth in the green economy.

Andrew Jamieson, ORE Catapult chief executive, said: “This investment in truly world-leading capability will keep the UK at the forefront of offshore wind technology development. It will enable ORE Catapult to continue to deliver the most advanced research and development infrastructure and expertise to the offshore wind industry, capturing the jobs and economic growth from the transition to a Net Zero economy”.

Tyneside manufacturer Gate 7 has expanded its global footprint by sealing a deal for a new base in India.

The Gateshead company, which makes self-adhesive labels and screen prints for construction, agricultural and industrial equipment and vehicles, was set up in 2000 and also has a base in Pennsylvania, US. The firm, which has 65 staff based in the UK and 60 in US, has now grown its global operations by launching a new 15,000 sq ft manufacturing plant in Pune, India.

Bosses said the new facility will play an integral part in Gate 7’s international growth strategy and the company is also recruiting a further 30 employees to support its broadened customer base.

Harry Wickham, managing director, said: “We are immensely proud to be opening our new manufacturing plant in India. It is a very important milestone in the Gate 7 journey as the facility will provide a gateway for us to connect with our customers across the globe and continue to grow alongside them."

Growing property firm Pattinson Estate Agency made its third acquisition in six months after swooping for a County Durham-based business. The Silverlink Business Park-based company has taken over Stanley based NS Bennett Estate Agency, after owner Stephen Bennett announced his retirement. The office has become Pattinson’s 28th branch in the North East, and the company said most of the staff are transferring to the new owners.

The deal follows the earlier acquisitions of Ryedales Estate Agency in Cramlington, and Browns in Stockton and Norton.

Group managing director Justin Beckwith said: “This is another great addition for us as a company as a whole, as well as for our sales, lettings and commercial departments. We have 27 branches spanning across the North East, and this 28th Pattinson branch gives us a presence in Stanley central. I would like to welcome the team from NS Bennetts, and founder and owner Stephen Bennett is assisting with the transition before enjoying his retirement.”

Two popular nightspots in Newcastle city centre were bought by new owners. Market Shaker Group - which already operates Market Shaker and Pumphrey’s on the Cloth Market and Frate, behind Grey Street - has bought The Mushroom on Grainger Street and Mimo on Pudding Chare.

The Mushroom is a basement bar/nightclub in Newcastle city centre, which has been bought from Vaulkhard Group. Mimo is a two storey building which currently houses a bar on the ground floor and a nightclub on the first floor. It was previously owned by City Pubs Limited.

Robert Clarkson, co-founder of Market Shaker Group, said: “We first viewed Mimo more than 10 years ago so it’s incredibly exciting to have finally been able to add it to our portfolio. Along with The Mushroom, it’s been part of Newcastle’s nightlife for a long time and we plan to make sure it’s a place people enjoy visiting for many more years to come.

“We’ve got big ambitions for Mimo which we’ll be announcing soon. We’ve already successfully given Pumphreys a new lease of life, and most recently we’ve built Frate from the ground up, and Mimo will be the next on our list for a transformation. And The Mushroom will stay as it is, as a much-loved venue for so many people in Newcastle.”