HARTLEPOOL
Vision – Hartlepool Council has revealed multiple projects which will bring millions of pounds of investment to the seaside town .
projects planned will put Hartlepool well and truly on the map . It ’ s so exciting .
“ People will want to come to Hartlepool . By the time these projects are finished , it will bring Hartlepool to life and to the forefront of thinking across the Tees Valley and beyond .
“ From a personal point of view , I have lived in the Tees Valley for 25 years having left central London in 1998 . I have faith in this area and only stumbled into Hartlepool a few years earlier .
“ But when you spend time here you realise there ’ s potential for a week ’ s holiday if you do it right .
“ We want people to stay longer , come back again , and we don ’ t want people to leave .”
Historic England has already informed Hartlepool Council that it plans to head to the town to register the improvements .
Crucially these projects have been shaped from engagement and consultations with the local community – over 400 responded to the Town Deal – and the desire is there for the sort of change required to drive up investment in the area .
The changes will link up distinct quarters currently disconnected by the main A689 road splitting the town as well as the railway line – detaching a Marina bigger than Liverpool ’ s Albert Dock and a covered shopping centre in line to be reduced in size . Paul said : “ Hartlepool as a town has no central focal point . We can do all the physical changes in the world but we have to join them together .
“ We are doing that through 21 live projects across three principal programmes by 2026 – the Town Deal , Levelling Up and Waterfront Regeneration .”
Here ’ s a closer look at some of the key projects .
THE PRODUCTION VILLAGE Following the opening of the Northern Studios in 2022 , Levelling Up will deliver a screen industry production village in its vicinity in and around Church Street .
The filming industry has an incredible supply chain of highly skilled but small companies who need assistance in a variety of ways . The council is purchasing nine buildings , mainly heritage , in that area in need of restoration , such as the Shades building which has cost more than £ 400,000 to protect .
The village , which will create 131 jobs , will be completed in 2025 and include a public square between award-winning The Bis and Hartlepool College of Further Education .
WESLEY CHAPEL In August 2025 the Wesley will open its doors for the first time since 2001 as a 36-bedroom boutique hospitality venue in the heart of town , employing 55 people .
The Wesley revival has led to new owners purchasing the nearby Grand Hotel , another listed building , that closed its doors in 2020 . It will reopen this year with bar and business facilities with accommodation to come .
NEW LEISURE CENTRE Hartlepool ’ s Highlight leisure centre will be “ incredible ”. Highlight , at the heart of the Marina , will be a GT3 designed building growing from west to east that reflects the railway lines and will boast a swimming pool , learning pools with moveable floors , a viewing platform , gyms and a variety of other facilities .
By the time these projects are finished , it will bring Hartlepool to life and to the forefront of thinking across the Tees Valley and beyond .
MIDDLETON GRANGE The town ’ s shopping centre currently turns its back on the town , with seven different entrances , and the footprint is far too big for people ’ s retail needs nowadays .
People will be surprised to learn that only the Metro Centre and Eldon Square can claim to be bigger covered shopping areas in the North-East .
The Town Deal will create a smaller retail area and part of the North-East wing will be demolished , completely detaching the former Binns department store .
The listed building will be restored for flexible use by creating a range of food and beverage offers .
SKILLS ACADEMY As part of the Town Deal , a Civil Engineering Skills Academy in partnership with Seymour and Hartlepool College is being created .
This aims to ensure young people deliver on capital projects here instead of moving away after learning the skills and becoming qualified .
A couple of apprentices from that programme have worked on the waterfront project already .
A second skills academy with the NHS trust has been created too , designed to fill the skills gaps in the local hospital through links between the council and the college whose principal , Darren Hankey , chairs the Town Deal .
For more information about any of Hartlepool ’ s exciting regeneration programmes , email paul . taylor2 @ hartlepool . gov . uk
73