The Tees Valley Investment Zone capital programme was approved by the Tees Valley Mayor and Cabinet Members at their latest Cabinet meeting.
And within it was the approval of a new Creative Production Hub in Hartlepool and a new Digital and Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Middlesbrough to help supercharge the region’s existing creative and digital strengths.
It is estimated the new Hartlepool Creative Production Hub will cost between £3m-£5m while the Middlesbrough hub will cost between £7m- £10m.
A further £3million to £5million would be spent to equip both sites with cutting-edge shared technology infrastructure and equipment.
The zone is expected to help create more than 2,000 jobs and potentially unlock £175million of investment over the next decade – with support aimed at helping start-ups, SMEs and established firms innovate, scale and compete in fast-growing markets.
The final costs will be subject to the approval of business cases, with the hubs to be completed in 2029.
A spokesperson said: “An independent review into the Investment Zone’s plans found that – while Tees Valley has significant strengths in digital, creative and research activity – further investment is needed to provide space, facilities and infrastructure to help businesses grow, innovate and commercialise their new ideas.”
Under the plans, the Hartlepool hub will support creative production activity, creator economy businesses and production supply chains through specialist facilities and shared equipment – complementing the wider vision and plans around the town’s Northern Studios and Production Village – while Middlesbrough’s new hub will focus on business growth, innovation and commercialisation, building on the success of the town’s Boho digital cluster.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Successful digital and creative economies need the right mix of infrastructure, investment and talent. By creating these centres in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, we’re backing businesses and making sure they can access the facilities they need closer to home.”
He added: “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 two facilities will operate as part of a connected system, with activity supported by region-wide business support, specialist technology access and industry engagement across the wider region.
This latest announcement comes on the back of the launch of the Tees Valley Investment Zone Innovation Voucher programme – which will see £1.5million invested to help our region’s digital and creative businesses test, build, pilot and scale up projects into 2027.
The £160million Tees Valley Investment Zone is nationally unique in backing digital and creative businesses with the research, support, skills and infrastructure they need to innovate, scale and compete internationally.
Find out more about the Tees Valley Investment Zone here: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/investment-zone
