“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a limit on the potential we have here .”
“ Let ’ s go to Boho ” when they need something .
“ One company in Boho might be working with a customer that is also looking for two or three other services . The advantage they have , and the advantage of the way they work , is that company can recommend businesses from our cluster because they know them , trust them and can recommend them .”
There are big plans for the future too – cranes and diggers are on-site to build Boho X , a huge new addition to the skyline , which , in the words of mayor Andy Preston , will be the “ best office space between Glasgow and Leeds ”.
More expansion plans are in sight , with council proposals to build hundreds of houses around the old Town Hall – effectively reinvigorating what was once a thriving community at St Hilda ’ s .
“ I had family that lived in St Hilda ’ s so it ’ s nice to see that come round ,” says Dan , 32 , who grew up in Eston and now lives in Marton .
“ It ’ s grown to a point where it has a life of its own . We are not corralling or telling people .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a limit on the potential we have here .”
That potential creates opportunities – with Dan saying there are regularly up to 200 live jobs on offer in the sector as firms rapidly expand .
The sense of community helps those arriving from outside of the area or even abroad – with social and business support constantly on hand .
But getting local youngsters into those jobs is something that ’ s of huge importance to Dan and everyone in Middlesbrough ’ s digital and tech sector .
“ People might come from a family who worked in a traditional industry . That ’ s what Middlesbrough was , that ’ s what Teesside was ,” he continues .
“ Maybe the video games industry was in the US or London , somewhere far away . Now it ’ s here .
“ Teesside was one of the first universities offering digital degrees , and they ’ re leading the way in producing graduates who can start those innovative new companies or be employable straight away .
“ We do a lot of outreach work – especially through places like Middlesbrough College – to make sure that young people in Middlesbrough know that our industry is for them as well , even if they haven ’ t done IT at school .
“ There ’ s no reason why kids from Thorntree to Nunthorpe shouldn ’ t aspire to these jobs .
“ It ’ s our responsibility to shout about it so people in Middlesbrough can see what is going on here , and how it ’ s a huge benefit to the town .”
For more stories on Middlesbrough ’ s thriving businesses visit wearemiddlesbrough . com
The voice of business in the Tees region | 51