Project aims to boost Hartlepool's tourism industry

From left to right at Hartlepool Railway Stations Information Point are artist Suzie Devey, Councillor Kevin Cranney, Councillor Dave Hunter, chair of the Headland & Harbour Community Coastal Team and Jeff Newton of Infotech.

It follows successful bids to the Government by the town’s Headland & Harbour Community Coastal Team and Seaton Carew Coastal Community Team, resulting in £20,000 of funding.

The teams – which are made up of councillors, council officers and local businesses – decided to use the money to fund the coast project which was launched this week at the Hartlepool Art Gallery.

Central to the project is a seven-minute video highlighting the town’s many coastal attractions from the RSPB Saltholme centre in the south to the historic Headland in the north.

Other aspects of the project include a 20ft by 13ft mural by Teesside artist Suzie Devey, information boards at key locations around the town and printed literature promoting town wide attractions.

The mural provides the backdrop for the film which is being played on a widescreen TV at the Hartlepool Railway Station entrance, which more than 600,000 visitors pass through every year.

Much of the footage for the impressive film was shot from the sky using drones and was overseen by Hartlepool firm Infotech.

Kevin Cranney, chairman of the council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “It is really important that we do everything we can to effectively market the town’s many other tourist assets.”

The video can be viewed by visiting www.hartlepoolcoast.com

For further information contact Harland Deer at the council on 01429 857083 or email Harland.deer@hartlepool.gov.uk