Exciting plans to bring large Hartlepool town centre building back into use revealed

Community project Poolie Time Exchange has signed a 10-year lease for three-storey Bovis House in Victoria Road.

They plan to support up to 40 companies that need space to rent and will open a Community Shop on the ground floor selling second-hand and nearly new goods.

The former job centre has been empty for several years and has a floorspace of 16,000 square feet.

The project marks a new phase for the Poolie Time Exchange which supports people to find employment in return for volunteering in the community.

During the coronavirus pandemic, its focus has been on delivering thousands of meals and food parcels to vulnerable and isolating residents.

Ian Cawley, of Poolie Time Exchange, told the Mail: “We want to try to become self-funding in the long term and bring business and the community closer together.

“We felt Bovis House was the ideal place to do that. There will be strong emphasis on supporting community businesses, start up businesses and also established ones that want to grow.”

Ian added they will offer tenants support with digital marketing and staff training by tapping into their existing resources.

He said: “There will be a sense of community within the businesses where a percentage of the rent will stay within the building for them to decide how to use.”

The news has been welcomed and comes just days after it was announced that another key town centre building, The Grand Hotel, has gone into administration.

One person said on the Poolie Time Exchange's Facebook page: “That is amazing news for the town!!! Well done guys.”

Another supporter said: “Well done you’re going from strength to strength.”

Ian added: “We have had a good response. A number of businesses who are interested in coming in have contacted us.”

Bovis House was bought by businessman Joseph Zekaria last autumn for just £1 at auction.

Anyone interested in any of the units can contact Ian Cawley on 07472 358704.

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