Hartlepool wins battle for £25m government boost to improve town centre

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Hartlepool has won its bid for £25m of government funding to improve the town centre.

Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and the derelict Wesley Chapel building, both in Victoria Road, are among the areas expected to benefit from investment via the £3.6billion Towns Deal programme.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen greeted the announcement of the award by saying: "I’m delighted that Redcar and Hartlepool have secured £25 million each from the Government to support their ambitious plans to boost, redevelop and reinvigorate their town centres and support local jobs.

“With funding announced over last few months, today’s news takes the total cash secured from the governments Towns Fund for Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to £118m.

The fire-hit Wesley Chapel building, in Victoria Road, Hartlepool, is one of the buildings to benefit from £25m of government funding for the town centre.

“This cash will allow Redcar and Hartlepool to kickstart their plans to transform their town centres so that they are even better place to live and do business.

"This cash will allow Redcar to boost its visitor economy, while Hartlepool will be able to improve Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, boost skills by expanding the Civil Engineering Academy and better connection the town centre with Church Street and the Marina.

“As we lift lockdown restrictions and recover from the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we back our high streets and town centres and the independent businesses that make them such unique and vibrant places.”

Further details are expected on June 8.

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