Sir Alec Shelbrooke, MP for Wetherby and Easingwold, has praised the role of Yorkshire manufacturing after visiting Tockwith-based, Stage One Creative Services.
Stage One is a creative construction and engineering company, which is best known for creating large-scale structures and environments for cultural ceremonies, international expos and major live music tours, such as Ed Sheeran’s recent world tour, the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony and Eurovision 2023. Its work combines advanced fabrication with traditional skills.
The visit, arranged by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), was part of a national programme introducing MPs to member companies across the UK. It offered Sir Alec an opportunity to see first-hand the diversity of the steelwork sector.
During his tour, Sir Alec was shown around Stage One’s facilities, learning about the company’s role in delivering high-profile international projects, including architectural structures, ceremony stages, and touring concert sets.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke MP, said: “It was fascinating to see some of the projects taking place here. Often, we don’t realise that the things we encounter every day have been designed and manufactured right here in Yorkshire.
“Stage One is a major player in global creative engineering, yet what’s particularly impressive is that their top ten suppliers are all local to Yorkshire. That means not only are they supplying projects across the world, but they’re also supporting a strong local manufacturing ecosystem at the heart of our region’s economy.”
Tim Leigh, Chief Creative Officer at Stage One, said: “We had a super interesting day, welcoming Sir Alec to our headquarters. Stage One may be one of North Yorkshire’s best-kept secrets, but we’re immensely proud of the work we export globally, from major ceremonies to world tours. Having the opportunity to showcase our skills to government representatives helps us fly the flag for British innovation and reinforces the importance of investing in skills and manufacturing in the region.”
Zoe Williams, Strategic Marketing Manager at BCSA, added: “The BCSA’s programme of MP visits helps demonstrate the breadth of the UK’s steelwork sector, from companies building some of the country’s tallest skyscrapers to firms like Stage One, whose specialist fabrication and engineering expertise are sought after worldwide.”
As part of the BCSA’s ongoing lobbying work, discussions also included the Association’s New Deal for Constructional Steelwork, a policy initiative aimed at supporting UK-based steelwork contractors through fairer procurement, safeguarding skilled jobs, and strengthening the UK supply chain.
Zoe added, “These visits underline just how vital it is to support UK-based companies that combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge design. The New Deal for Constructional Steelwork sets out a clear way forward for securing a sustainable future for the sector, and we were pleased to raise these priorities directly with Sir Alec.”
