STOCKTON’S first new centre for digital businesses based in a 200-year-old, Grade II-listed building, has opened its doors.

Six businesses have already opened in the Dovecot Street centre which was made possible by a £500,000 grant from the European Union and £500,000 from owners, Stockton Borough Council.

The former Quaker Friends Meeting House now provides a base for companies with options for short term lets including access to general networking areas.

Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “Not only is it fantastic to see a historically important building brought back to use in the town centre but I’m delighted that this new facility at 62 Dovecot Street will provide a first class, high-tech home to start-up and existing digital and new media businesses.

“62 Dovecot Street is close to ARC and the Storytellers pub and with development and improvement work progressing on West Row Arts, this area of Stockton is set to become a real creative and cultural hub.”

James Drew of JDrew Creations, a software development company, has recently moved into 62 Dovecot Street.

He said: “We chose to move to Dovecot Street because it is simply a fantastic location. We’d looked at several offices before, but loved the building as soon as we walked through the door.”

The renovation of 62 Dovecot Street is a part of Stockton Council’s ambitious multi-million pound regeneration of Stockton Town Centre