MIDDLESBROUGH’S booming digital and creative business sector is to benefit from a new enterprise zone in the heart of the town.

The Historic Quarter becomes the latest of the Tees Valley’s 12 Enterprise Zones.

Centred on the thriving Boho digital cluster, it includes newly refurbished Grade A office space, buildings with architectural and historical merit and prime central location.

Enterprise Zones are part of the government’s Industrial Strategy aiming to support business growth across the country.

Eligible companies looking to locate to the Enterprise Zone can qualify for up to £55,000 a year of rate relief over five years – but must demonstrate they belong to the digital technology or creative sector and how their business intends to grow.

Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “Middlesbrough’s Historic Quarter is firmly rooted in the town’s rich heritage, but it is already playing a key role in our ambitious plans for the future.

“Our thriving digital business community will be one of the catalysts for growth at the heart of the Enterprise Zone, and that will complement the surge in business confidence we’re currently seeing right across the town.

“This is an opportunity to further support this high growth sector and encourage additional inward investment into Middlesbrough, consolidating our status as the city heart of the Tees Valley.”

For an application form, see investmiddlesbrough.co.uk/digital.