Cole Robinson, originally from Teesside, has moved into a workspace at The Palace Hub in Redcar town centre. From his office, which looks directly out over the North Sea, he says the decision feels both practical and personal.
“Every day I walk in and look out at the sea and I can’t quite believe how beautiful it is,” he said. “It reminds me why I wanted to base myself here.”
Robinson left Teesside more than a decade ago to pursue a career in film, initially building experience in Newcastle before going on to live and work in Buenos Aires and Manchester. He now splits his time between the UK and Amsterdam, moving between projects as required.
Over those years he built a body of work that spans both commercial and documentary production. Through his company he has delivered projects for organisations including BMW, John Lewis and the NHS, while developing independent films focused on geopolitics, working-class communities and global social issues. Earlier in his career he also worked locally as a senior editor on FIFA’s digital output, contributing to the launch of the streaming platform FIFA+.
But it was a more recent commission that brought things full circle. After the success and publicity of a nationwide project for the British Library, Robinson collaborated with football media platform Copa90 on a documentary about the Tyne-Wear derby - returning to tell a story rooted in the North East.
“Working on something connected to football here was amazing,” he said. “When you leave somewhere to chase something, you don’t always expect to come back and get the opportunity to tell its stories again.”
That experience, he says, sharpened his thinking about where he wanted to base himself long term.
“There’s often a sense that if you want to succeed creatively, you have to leave,” he said. “I did leave, that was part of my journey. But I don’t think it should always have to be that way.”
Establishing a permanent studio in Redcar, he believes, is part of challenging that assumption.
“There aren’t many clear pathways for creatives growing up here,” he said. “There isn’t always the infrastructure you see in bigger towns or cities. That’s the reality. But that’s also why I wanted to come back.”
He admits there is one local ambition he would still like to realise.
“I'd love to work with Boro,” he said. “If the opportunity ever came to work with my club in some capacity, that would be a real full-circle moment”
He hopes that basing himself in Redcar will also allow him to support emerging talent in the region.
“If I can prove that you can create work that travels internationally while being based here, that matters,” he said. “I’d love to support and hire talented young creatives coming through where possible. There’s got to be ability here - it just needs opportunity.”
The Palace Hub, a council-run business centre located in the historic Palace building, provides flexible workspace for growing businesses and entrepreneurs. Robinson says having a permanent base in Redcar gives him the stability to research, edit and develop projects while continuing to travel when required.
With international projects behind him and the North Sea outside his window, he says the move is about building something long-term at home.
“This isn’t just about opening a studio,” he added. “It’s about investing in the place that I care about and seeing what’s possible from here.”
Cllr Lynn Pallister MBE, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said:
“We’re delighted that Cole has chosen to establish a permanent home for his business here in Redcar. The Palace Hub offers an inspiring seafront location to grow and thrive, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours. As a Council, we are committed to supporting enterprise activity and our buildings provide a strong platform for businesses looking to start, grow and invest in our borough. Redcar and Cleveland is a great place to do business, with our Business Engagement Team supporting both emerging and established within our business community.”
You can learn more about Cole's work at www.colerobinson.co.uk