Jul 19 2010 Evening Gazette - Read article on nebusiness.co.uk

LOCAL business leaders are being asked to give their verdict on the region’s identity.

Almost 2,000 readers recently completed the Evening Gazette’s identity survey – with just over half opting for the name Teesside as the one to describe the place where they live.

Those responding to the survey also gave the name Tees Valley a resounding thumbs down.

There was also an overwhelming support for the area’s airport to revert to using the Teesside name again.

Gazette Media Company and the Institute of Directors are now holding a special event on Monday, July 26, and are inviting members of the local businesscommunity to come along and share their thoughts on the identity issue.

Darren Thwaites, editor of the Evening Gazette – who will present the key findings of the survey at the event – said: “The number of responses to our survey clearly demonstrates just how important this issue is.

“At this special event we want to find out what the local business community’s thoughts are on the area’s identity – and how best to move our region forward.”

The event, being held at the Evening Gazette on Borough Road, will start at 5.45pm.

Following a presentation on the survey’s results, the audience will be asked for their comments and feedback, before finishing with a vote on the region’s identity.

In the survey, the Teesside name got 1,000 votes – 50.7% of those responding – well ahead of any of the other options.

Support was even greater among those aged 35 or under, with 62.1% opting for Teesside.

Cleveland, which existed as a county for just over 20 years and was abolished in 1996, scored 254 votes (12.9%), while only 59 (3%) respondents backed the name Tees Valley.

North Yorkshire or Yorkshire had a combined total of 504 votes (25.6%).

There was a clear view about what the area’s airport should be called with 1,801 (91.2%) backing the name of Teesside. Just 173 (8.8%) supported the name of Durham Tees Valley, which was adopted in 2004.

The identity event will be covered in the Gazette on Tuesday, July 27, and on www.gazettelive.co.uk

It is set to finish at 7pm, but numbers for the event are limited.