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The Middlesbrough businesses stacking up success

Middlesbrough’s thriving digital and leisure sectors continue to remain central in driving the town’s regeneration.

For the past 15 years, the town has become one of the fastest growing creative, digital and tech hubs in the UK, with the Financial Times recently citing Middlesbrough as one of top ten European Cities of the Future to attract foreign direct investment (FDi). 

Internationally recognised success stories include games developer, Double Eleven, who now employ over 350 members of staff and produce some of the world’s biggest video games. 

Big Bite have become one of the most trusted WordPress agencies for global brands including the New York Post and Amnesty International. Both businesses laid the foundations for success in Middlesbrough’s Boho zone.

Support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) and Middlesbrough Council and their partners including Teesside University and Middlesbrough College is now helping the next generation of businesses to scale up.

There are currently six support programmes in place, ranging from supported apprenticeships through the Youth Trailblazer programme, support for businesses with Net Zero strategies to scale up support through the Forge and Accelerator programmes led by Middlesbrough based Alt Labs.

Further support is offered to help businesses internationalise their products and services and strengthen their supply chain.

Over the next couple of the years, the Boho Zone’s neighbouring Middlehaven area is set to undergo a major redevelopment. 

Restoration of the Grade II-listed, Old Town Hall will take place thanks to more than £4.5m of funding from The National Lottery and £1.8 million of Government funding. 

The refurbished Old Town Hall will offer more than 7,000sq ft of office space for Middlesbrough’s flourishing digital sector.

The latest big news is that Middlesbrough Council’s Executive has recently approved a partnership with Capital and Centric to build thousands of homes in Middlehaven to create a thriving residential community within walking distance of the town centre.

Further good news is for the town’s leisure sector including its regional leisure destination – Captain Cook Square. 

The square is now home to a range of well-known national operators, including Level X, Inflate Space and Roxy Movies as well as a truly distinctive dining experience from Bazaar Restaurant. 

Captain Cook Square is boosting Middlesbrough’s nighttime economy by attracting visitors from right across the Tees Valley and the North.

And there is another regeneration success story taking place in Middlesbrough’s historic quarter. 

STACK has transformed this urban space underneath the A66 flyover into a place to eat, drink and enjoy live entertainment. 

Since opening in December 2024, STACK has helped to attract footfall back into the town centre, encouraging visitor spend in nearby businesses.

There’s a wealth of professional support available for businesses who want to grow in Middlesbrough. 

Contact invest@middlesbrough.gov.uk to find out more about what’s on offer.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bdaily Publishing .