New bid to repair 'significantly damaged' former Hartlepool hotel and nightclub

The historic building, last known as Shades Hotel, in Church Street, Hartlepool has fallen into disrepair over the last decade.

Now proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning department for listed building consent to carry out re-roofing, chimney, drainage and structural repairs at the site.

Funding will come from the Government’s £3.6billion Towns Fund aimed at “shovel-ready” projects which can “unleash the economic success of towns and high streets”.

The latest plans, submitted by Steven Wilkie, an officer at Hartlepool Borough Council, will look to carry out “essential repairs” to the building ahead of it hopefully being brought back into commercial use in the future.

A heritage statement from surveyors RNJ Partnership on behalf of the council states the repairs will help prevent further damage to the premises.

It said: “The proposals retain and enhance the building’s original architectural details whilst removing inappropriate materials and later interventions.

“The purpose of the proposed works is to carry out essential repairs to the fabric of the property to arrest further damage and deterioration to the interior.

“The work is therefore focused on the replacement of the roof coverings, rainwater disposal arrangements and the chimneys.”

It comes as the building has been “significantly damaged” by rainwater, according to planning documents.

The documents continued: “The timber roof structure has been significantly damaged by frequent and almost continuous rainwater penetration which has been concentrated at the eaves.

“This has resulted in timber decay to the bearing of hip trusses and repairs using gusset plates will be carried out.”

The document also state that the proposals are sympathetic to the listed buildings in the Church Street Conservation Area.

The former Shades Hotel is a Grade II-Listed building, which is identified on Historic England’s “at risk” register, and was originally constructed in 1868 before undergoing extensive renovations in 1900. .

A decision is expected to be made on the latest plans in the near future by council planning officers.

A separate bid for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Enterprise Fund is on hold because of the pandemic.

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