A RANGE of financial incentives have been announced in an attempt to breathe new life into Middlesbrough's town centre.

It's hoped the business rate incentives will encourage businesses to open shops and leisure centres in specific areas of the town and new businesses and those looking to expand are being targeted.

Middlesbrough council is already offering free parking for two hours in its off-road car parks in an attempt to encourage more shoppers in the town and has regenerated Baker and Bedford Street.

The authority has previously announced ambitious plans to develop the Middlehaven area, just outside the current centre.

The town has suffered a long-term population decline since 1961 and is currently 137,000, however a recent study for the council said it has a potential catchment of 800,000 shoppers.

Both the Government and Middlesbrough Borough Council are offering the grants and business rate relief incentives.

Schemes being offered by the Government include:

*Small Business Rate Relief: The government will provide 100 per cent relief until March 31, 2016 for properties with a rateable value of £6,000 or less

*Retail Relief: The government will provide a relief of up to £1,500 to occupy retail properties with a rateable value of £50,000

*Business Rates Reoccupation Relief: The government will provide a 50 per cent business rates discount for 18 months for businesses moving into previously empty retail premises that have been empty for 12 months or more without claiming any relief, until March 31, 2016.

Incentives being offered by Middlesbrough council include:

*Business Rates Incentive Scheme: A 50 per cent rate discount for 12 months, payable to businesses moving into an eligible vacant unit, which has a rateable value from £12,001 until March 2016.

*Empty Shop Refit Scheme: A grant, which will give businesses that move into an empty town centre unit, in one of the eligible areas, up to £5,000 to help buy fixtures and fittings, security, signage and refurbishment costs.

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “Middlesbrough has a history of successful initiatives to address the issues of town centre vacancies and where possible bring them back into use.

“Previous schemes have included the use of shutter graphics and window vinyls and the hugely popular Baker and Bedford Street regeneration has demonstrated the great appetite for low-cost space to accommodate independent businesses.

“Middlesbrough is a great place to do business with a 30,000 student population, upwards of £500m of investment in housing, education and leisure and great transport links."

Find out more at middlesbrough.gov.uk/business/retailsupport