STOCKTON is a bustling hotbed for new digital and creative businesses.
Digital House on Dovecot Street has become a proven incubator for fledgling companies since it opened two years ago and now, after several months of successful trading, three businesses are moving out so they can expand.
The 200-year-old Grade II Listed building on Dovecot Street offers a range of accommodation options together with networking areas and conference facilities all with access to high-end technical specifications.
And the opportunities for digital and creative businesses don’t stop at Digital House, as just a short walk along the river from Stockton Town Centre is the new Fusion Hive Innovation Centre.
Ithica Films, Catering Design and The Bearhug are all moving out of Digital House and on to bigger premises after successfully growing their companies and are urging other businesses to follow in their footsteps by moving into the heart of Stockton’s up and coming creative hub.
Managing Director of Ithica Films, Matt McGough, said: “We’ve been based at Digital House for eight months and it’s allowed us to grow as a business, starting with a small unit and taking on larger space as we’ve expanded in both staff and equipment. We’ve been able to host clients in a professional environment and it’s been great to be around other digital businesses going through the same stages that we were. Digital House was the first location on my list when I put together the business plan for Ithica Films and it’s been great to see how Stockton is developing a digital hub, I’ll certainly miss the place when we move on but look back on our time at Digital House fondly.”
Director of Catering Design, Claire Richardson, added: “Digital House has been a great place for Catering Design to continue its growth, we have benefitted from the help and support that we have received from everyone within the building. Catering Design are looking forward to moving into bigger premises within Stockton.”
The former Quaker Friend’s Meeting House provides a flexible base for companies with options for short term lets including access to general networking areas and firms can access support services and business advice. There are packages to cater for every digital and creative business with a range of accommodation available from hot-desking to slim offices or dedicated office space plus data connection, telephone, car parking and virtual hosting.
Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: “Facilities like Digital House are helping new companies build solid foundations and it will soon be complemented by the new Fusion Hive Innovation Centre at Northshore which will provide a natural progression route for businesses looking to further expand.”
The three-storey 36,000 sq ft Fusion Hive offers flexible working spaces for around 60 enterprises in the digital and scientific sectors. Managed by Teesside University, it will provide business tenants not only with high-spec accommodation, but also access to business support services and specialist expertise along with potential funding opportunities.
Councillor Smith added: “Stockton is an excellent place to do business. Fusion Hive gives any digital enterprise a tremendous opportunity to continue their growth and they really should really take a look at what Stockton has to offer.”
Ithica Films create digital film content for businesses, Catering Design design and install commercial catering environments and The Bearhug is a graphic design company with online sales of clothing, prints and original artwork.
To find out more about Digital House visit http://digitalhouse.uk/
To find out more about Fusion Hive visit http://www.fusionhive.co.uk/