Ambitious plans have been launched which it is hoped will transform Middlesbrough town centre

Plans to shape the town's future as the economic, cultural and leisure heart of the region were first unveiled at the end of 2016 Credit: Middlesbrough Council

Bold and ambitious plans to drive forward Middlesbrough's economic resurgence have been launched.

The strategy - spearheaded by Elected Mayor Dave Budd and Middlesbrough Council Chief Executive Tony Parkinson - will see the town transformed through investments totalling almost £700 million.

Over the next four years the Council is committed to an injection of £74 million into a series of exciting developments as part of the town's far-reaching Investment Prospectus.

This confidence in Middlesbrough's growing stature as the city heart of the Tees Valley will act as a catalyst for the creation of 5,000 new jobs in the town, in tandem with more than £600 million of inward investment from the private sector and other parts of the public sector.

Plans to shape the town's future as the economic, cultural and leisure heart of the region were first unveiled at the end of 2016, and this week sees the strategy formally launched to key stakeholders, business leaders and opinion formers.

At an event at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium on Monday, March 13, Mr Parkinson and Mayor Budd will be joined by guest speakers including Boro Chairman Steve Gibson, Paul Swinney of leading think tank the Centre for Cities and developer Mark Ashall.

The event will also see the official launch of the new Invest Middlesbrough website which will act as a 'one-stop shop' for entrepreneurs, businesses and employers looking to play a role in the town's growth.

Developments featured in the Investment Prospectus include a £30 million snow centre at Middlehaven Credit: Middlesbrough Council

Developments featured in the Investment Prospectus include a £30 million snow centre at Middlehaven, a 450-bed student village linked to Teesside University, a brand new Media and Innovation Village and Grade A town centre office space.

New regeneration will transform more than 57 hectares of land, with the development of an estimated 1.7 million square foot of new business accommodation.