Fresh plans to cement the North East's growing reputation as a hub for digital and creative businesses have been given the green light as part of a £160 million investment programme.
The funding is part of the Tees Valley Investment Zone, which aims to create jobs, drive growth and attract investment across the region.
The programme will create a Digital and Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Middlesbrough and a Creative Production Hub in Hartlepool.
The Boho Zone, Middlesbrough (Image: Supplied)
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley mayor, said: "Successful digital and creative economies need the right mix of infrastructure, investment and talent.
"By creating these centres in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, we're backing businesses and making sure they can access the facilities they need closer to home.
"We’re world leaders in gaming, have a brilliant digital sector in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool is cementing itself as a key filmmaking centre in the north of England.
"These plans will help our businesses grow, spark more local jobs and build on our brilliant strengths – I’m looking forward to seeing spades in the ground."
The hubs will support the region’s digital and creative sectors with space, resources and technology.
An independent review found that Tees Valley has strong digital, creative and research sectors but needs more investment in space, facilities and infrastructure to help businesses grow and commercialise new ideas.
The Middlesbrough hub will build on the success of the town’s Boho digital cluster by helping businesses grow, innovate and commercialise new ideas.
The Hartlepool hub will support creative producers, creator-economy businesses and production supply chains with specialist facilities and shared equipment.
It will also support plans for the Northern Studios and Production Village in Hartlepool.
Chris Cooke, Middlesbrough mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member for finance, organisational improvement and business growth, said: "Middlesbrough has established itself as the home of our region’s digital sector with the Boho area supporting hundreds of businesses and highly skilled jobs.
"This approval provides a clear direction for the next stage of that development.
"The proposed Digital and Creative Enterprise Hub will help growing companies access the space, facilities and support they need to develop new products, attract investment and create more opportunities for local people.
"Working alongside partners across the Tees Valley, we can strengthen the environment for innovation and give ambitious businesses the confidence to build and stay here."
The two hubs will form part of a wider network backed by regional business support, specialist technology and industry links.
The Middlesbrough facility is estimated to cost £7 million to £10 million, while the Hartlepool hub is expected to cost £3 million to £5 million.
A further £3 million to £5 million will fund shared technology and equipment for both sites.
Final costs will depend on the approved business cases, and both hubs are due to be completed by 2029.
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The announcement follows the launch of the Tees Valley Investment Zone Innovation Voucher programme, which will invest £1.5 million in digital and creative businesses through 2027.
The £160 million Tees Valley Investment Zone is the UK’s only zone focused specifically on digital and creative industries, combining research, skills training, business support and infrastructure.
The zone is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and unlock up to £175 million in extra investment over the next 10 years, helping start-ups, SMEs and established firms grow and compete.