Member Article

Boost for Digital dreams

Plans to create a “DigitalCity” bringing jobs and investment to Middlesbrough took another step forward last week. Middlesbrough Council’s planning committee gave approval for a four-storey Digital Enterprise Centre to be built in the St Hilda’s-Middlehaven area, with work set to start in the summer.

The development is part of the wider DigitalCity project, spearheaded by the council and the University of Teesside. The stated aim of the development is to promote the growth of businesses specialising in animation, computer gaming and digital media. Work is already underway on an Institute of Digital Innovation on the university campus and there are longer-term plans for a museum of Digital Media.

Councillor David Budd said: “The University of Teesside is one of the biggest assets that Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley has. It has developed an international reputation for excellence in digital technology which we want to build on to boost and diversify the local economy and create facilities for new businesses to grow. “DigitalCity is an open invitation to the people who come to study in Middlesbrough to stay here and use their skills to create new businesses and contribute to a successful local economy and a vibrant town centre.”

Professor Graham Henderson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Teesside, added: “I am absolutely delighted to learn that the plans for the Digital Enterprise Centre have been approved. This major development in St Hilda’s - Middlehaven will complement the new buildings that are now rising on the University campus and is pivotal to securing a successfulfuture for the DigitalCity project. This approval does indeed signal a great step forward for the town and will hopefully make a major contribution to securing its future economic success.”

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