Planned £25m expansion of Hartlepool Royal Navy museum scrapped as retail park to be put up for sale
A planned £25m expansion of Hartlepool’s flagship tourist attraction has been scrapped.
Royal Navy Museums: Hartlepool, formerly called the National Museum of the Royal Navy, had intended to expand into the neighbouring 58,000 square foot Vision Retail Park, creating new galleries and major exhibitions.
But following a “strategic review” museum bosses have concluded it would not provide a sustainable return on investment or attract the level of external funding needed to proceed.
It has therefore announced it will return £3.4m it received from Hartlepool Borough Council to help buy the retail park in 2022 and is proposing to sell it to support the wider Waterfront area regeneration.
Matthew Sheldon, CEO of Royal Navy Museums, said: “Our commitment to Hartlepool is long-standing. Royal Navy Museums and Hartlepool Borough Council have worked together for many years with a shared ambition for the Waterfront and Hartlepool’s remarkable maritime heritage, and the decision to sell the Vision Retail Park reflects that same constructive partnership and a pragmatic approach to changing circumstances.
“By repaying the Council’s original £3.4 million grant and enabling the site to contribute to wider Waterfront regeneration, the sale allows Royal Navy Museums to focus its resources where they can have the greatest and most sustainable impact.
“We are proud of what our partnership has achieved and look forward to continuing to work with the Council to create a thriving Waterfront that attracts visitors, creates opportunities and celebrates Hartlepool’s distinctive maritime story for generations to come.”
The museum said it identified “significant challenges” with adapting the Vision Retail Park’s existing buildings, together with rising construction, staffing and energy costs.
But it says recent investment and work to improve connectivity in the area, including new footpaths, wayfinding and highway works, will be of mutual benefit to the Waterfront and Hartlepool's maritime heritage.
Councillor Rob Darby, of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “The proposed sale of the Vision Retail Park presents a significant opportunity as we continue to build momentum across Hartlepool Waterfront.
“The Waterfront is already seeing substantial investment, including the opening of Highlight and the significant investment in improving connectivity around the site.
“The opportunity to bring the site back into use alongside these developments has the potential to increase activity, strengthen the local visitor and economic offer and create job opportunities for our residents.”