Around 70 jobs are set to be created at a new North East veterinary referral centre, following a £2.7m investment.
Bridge Referrals Ltd is set to provide veterinary services for small animals in the region from its new hub at Boldon Business Park, South Tyneside, after being formed by five vets who came together from other practices to establish the new venture.
The practice, which secured planning permission in January, will have six consultation rooms and four theatres, with the latest technology from CTs and x-rays to MRI machines, once it is complete.
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Brims Construction is constructing the centre, which is expected to open in November 2022, covering a large catchment area extending from Northumberland and the Scottish Borders to Teesside and North Yorkshire.
The centre will have expertise across a range of disciplines and referrals to the site are expected to include orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, oncology, internal medicine and diagnostic imaging.
In its first two years of operation, Bridge Referrals expects to create up to 70 jobs, from specialised veterinary roles to nursing apprenticeships for school leavers.
Sarah Harrison, director at Bridge Referrals said: “It took us several months to find the perfect location for Bridge Referrals and accessibility was a key factor in making this decision. We saw there was scope for a new veterinary referral centre in South Tyneside as a central location in the North East, with excellent transport links including direct access to the A19, as well as bespoke space to create a hub.
“South Tyneside Council were extremely open and excited about our concept and offering, supporting our journey every step of the way, from initial plans to planning permission. This is a complex project, with several stakeholders and we’ve received support from a range of organisations. We want to say special thanks to those who have helped us along the way, from the council, NatWest, Knight Frank, Ward Hadaway, Brims and Howarth Litchfield.
“At the forefront of this project is sustainability and we’ve invested heavily in our strategy to make the practice as sustainable as possible, this includes the use of heat pumps, recycling initiatives and reusing for the future.
“We have ambitious plans for the veterinary centre but ultimately, we just want to bring the best possible service and experience for our clients and their animals across the North East and our new home at Boldon Business Park will allow us to do just that.”
Architect and director of Howarth Litchfield, Neil Turner, said: “This is an interesting and challenging project. As with any new business start-up there has been an impetus from the outset to secure change of use and planning consent for the redevelopment of the existing unit in as short a timeframe as possible.
“We are pleased to be working with Brims again as we have a sound working relationship with the team and respect each other’s work style. We felt it important to select a contractor with expertise in this market so that we could negotiate the contract."
Coun Mark Walsh, lead member of regeneration and economy at South Tyneside Council, added: “We’re delighted to welcome this exciting venture to the borough, and I’m pleased that the council has been able to support Bridge Referrals throughout the process.
“With ambitious plans, and the potential to create scores of high-quality jobs, this business will be a real asset to South Tyneside and I look forward to watching it grow and evolve.”
