Your ideas to transform Hartlepool town centre as part of 'High Streets Task Force' funding from Government

Mail readers have been sharing their views for Hartlepool town centre's future.

The town centre is set to benefit from the support of a High Streets Task Force, which will provide money and advise to help transform high streets and support communities.

Hartlepool was announced as a beneficiary of the fund on Monday, December 30, along with 13 other locations.

The High Streets Task Force was announced by the Government in response to recommendations of an expert panel.

Hartlepool is among 14 of 20 pilot areas to receive tailored expert support and funding, according to the Government.

Ministers say it will give high streets and town centres advice, training and information to adapt and thrive, piloting a range of products and services with 20 places before rolling out across the country in 2020.

Suggestions to revitalise Hartlepool town centre from Mail readers included making the town centre “clean and vibrant”, making something of derelict buildings, bringing in more shops and introducing a more pedestrian-friendly system.

Other pilot areas to benefit from funding include Stirchley in Birmingham, Friargate in Preston and Coventry city centre.

Here are some of your ideas from the Hartlepool Mail Facebook page:

What sort of changes would you like to see in Hartlepool town centre?

John Unsworth: “Hartlepool needs to be clean, vibrant and most importantly people want to go there. I have decided it's better to drive 30 minutes away because there is more to offer.”

Adrian Paul: “This money needs a real good thoughts process on how best to make the area better and draw in tourism from further afield. Projects that will see more long-term employment for those who have been unemployed for some time. Hartlepool folk need to be consulted on every penny to be spent.”

Brian Wilson: “They need to repave the whole town. So many loose paving stones everywhere you walk. Then do something about derelict buildings.”

Philly Noble: “If the town needs rejuvenating start on Middleton Grange and bring more ‘good shops’ back into it.”

Kathleen Verrall: “Just hopefully it’s thought out very carefully and put to good use. And not wasted.”

Macca Marrineur: “Create street vendors and community small business booths, inject life and make it for pedestrians and not cars.”

Rachael Dawson: “They should be sorting the Wesley chapel out.”