As the North East attracts record investment, flexible workspace operator Orega marks 25 years in business by spotlighting how its St James’ Gate workspace is helping local businesses thrive.
The North East enters a period of economic acceleration
As the North East enters a period of economic acceleration, fuelled by its recently announced status as an AI growth zone(1), flexible workspace operator Orega is celebrating a milestone twenty five years in business by highlighting how flexible workspaces are key to powering the region’s next chapter of growth.
The emergence of the North East as an AI growth zone is expected to generate over 5,000 new jobs and attract up to £30 billion in private investment. This, coupled with recent projections that Newcastle’s economy is set to be over half a billion pounds larger by 2028, reinforces the region’s position as one of the UK’s most dynamic economies.
Against this backdrop of supercharged regional growth, flexible workspaces play a crucial role in enabling companies to scale quickly and remain agile.
Sophie Turnbull, Commercial Director at Orega, explains:
“Our 25th anniversary is not just a milestone for Orega, but also a reflection of how the flexible workspace sector has evolved to support the UK’s changing economic landscape.
“As more investment flows into the North East, the demand for flexible workspaces in the area is only going to increase as ambitious organisations require premium, flexible spaces to support their next phase of growth.
“Our St James’ Gate workspace is a great example of how the right environment can help local and national businesses succeed in this fast-changing economy. Being perfectly positioned for connectivity is key – close to stations, metros and major bus routes – St James’ Gates’s transport connections make it an ideal base for businesses attracting both local talent and visiting clients from across the UK.”
Corporate flexibility drives regional success
One organisation already experiencing the benefits of flexible workspaces is the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), whose North East team recently relocated to Orega St James’ Gate.
Matt Bratton, Regional Director of North East and Cumbria at CBI, comments:
“Our team in the North East is slightly smaller than it was a few years ago, so we needed to downsize our office. However, we also wanted the flexibility to scale within the building.
“Orega St James’s Gate has a premium feel and the breakout space gives us the ability to host and impress clients, beyond our own office. The meeting rooms are equipped with state of the art technology that supports our hybrid working model and we also appreciate the flexibility in the license agreement, which suits our business needs.
“The premium space has helped us make a strong impression on clients, which is essential for the nature of our work and we were able to get up and running quickly, which made the transition seamless. We’d absolutely recommend Orega. It’s a great fit for businesses looking for flexibility and a space they can truly be proud of.”
Flexible workspaces as a driver of regional growth
The CBI’s move to St James’ Gate reflects a broader trend across the region, where flexible workspaces are becoming a cornerstone of the city’s growing business ecosystem. Invest Newcastle reports supporting more than 30 new companies to establish operations in the city over the past year alone, providing over 1,000 new jobs and further affirming Newcastle’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation.
Flexible workspaces like St James’ Gate provide more than just a physical space, they enable businesses of all sizes to respond to economic momentum with agility. Orega’s model, which currently supports over 550 occupier clients across 656,000 square feet of workspace, is particularly attractive to established organisations across sectors such as finance, legal, recruitment and business services.
In a city experiencing record investment and economic acceleration, such spaces are becoming vital catalysts for local and national businesses alike, providing scalable solutions that enable teams to focus on growth without operational distractions.
Expert guidance on choosing the right workspace
Sophie Turnbull, Commercial Director at Orega, shares her top three tips for businesses looking to select a flexible workspace that enables growth, commenting:
“The right flexible workspace can be an enabler for ambitious organisations to grow exponentially but choosing the right space is crucial. It’s about creating an environment that can support your growth plans, foster collaboration, and enhance business performance.
“Prioritise flexibility and ensure you choose an operator that can scale up or down as your business evolves, taking into account the practical implications of things like hybrid working models.”
“Consider the client impact of your building and its amenities. Look out for buildings that are centrally located and have tech-driven meeting rooms and professional breakout zones that will allow you to host and impress clients easily.”
“Think about the extra touches that will allow you to focus on what’s important. Opting for a provider who offers things like IT infrastructure and maintenance and facilities support will mean your team can focus on the business goals above all else.”
