FUNDING has been granted for a development that will aim to increase the number of digital business in a North-East town.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has announced £100,000 of Combined Authority funding to develop plans for Boho Next Generation – the next phase of the next phase of Middlesbrough’s Boho Zone digital and creative businesses development.

The funding will be used to help companies who are seeking additional space in which to grow.

Mr Houchen said: “The digital sector is a key business area for Middlesbrough, and our existing cluster of high-tech companies have already established a fantastic reputation, as well as a pipeline of skills in partnership with Teesside University and local colleges.

“There is not enough space in this quarter to accommodate demand, and this is leading to a bottle-neck, which means that affordable space for younger businesses is unavailable.

“Teesside needs high-tech, highly skilled jobs and this development will create a range of work spaces in our thriving digital cluster, which supports the strategic investment and future ambitions of Digital City.”