A TEESSIDE animation studio has settled in to its new headquarters following a period of sustained growth for the business and hope to welcome freelancers alongside it post-lockdown.

Visualisation specialist Animmersion UK has completed the move within Middlesbrough’s landmark Boho Zone and has announced plans to use part of its new office space to work collaboratively with local freelancers, once the latest national lockdown measures are lifted.

The company is keen to utilise the skills of Tees Valley’s growing digital freelance community and has created a dedicated space for them to come into the office.

Freelancers will be able to work in a Covid-secure environment on Animmersion projects alongside the company’s team of designers, artists and software engineers.

The new base also includes a immersive technology area, featuring VR, AR and holographic technology, and a spacious boardroom and breakout spaces that are also open to visitors.

The new studio and demo areas will help drive innovation, with a space designed for bringing teams together to collaborate on solutions and provide the opportunity for further innovation and product development.

The move represents another significant milestone for Animmersion and will accommodate its plans for accelerated growth.

Samuel Harrison, managing director of Animmersion UK, said: “Although we haven’t move far, we are delighted to have relocated to our new office.

"Being in amongst some of the UK’s most innovative businesses is important to us, that’s why we wanted to remain part of the Boho community.

“Tees Valley boasts some of the very best digital talent and we have an important role to play in nurturing and developing that talent. Providing the facility for the team to collaborate with local freelancers will enable us to grow the business further.”

The new office spaces comes after the rise of home working due to the pandemic, with Mr Harrison and his team realising the need for flexible and collaborative office space where team members can also work remotely in a hybrid approach.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Animmersion is just one of the amazing tech and digital companies we have right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool doing amazing things.

“Whether it is game design, 3D animation and VR, software development or cutting-edge hardware design you can have a thriving and rewarding career within tech right here in Teesside - you don’t need to move to Leeds or London. The growth of Animmersion over the past few years, along with the other companies that call Boho their home, proves this.

“Growing and supporting our tech sector is a key part of my plan for jobs, a plan that is creating good-quality, well paid jobs for local people and putting more money in their pockets for them and their families.”