£25m funding for Hartlepool is 'amazing news' says town MP Jill Mortimer

Mrs Mortimer, who is a member of the Hartlepool Town Deal Board, was speaking after the board’s bid for the Government cash was approved on Tuesday.

She also insists “this is not the end and I will continue to work with government to secure even more investment for Hartlepool”.

Among the projects the initial £25m pot will be dedicated towards are “reimagining” the town’s Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and transforming the derelict former Wesley Chapel nearby.

The arson-hit building, which was last home to a gym, bar and night club, has planning permission for Stockton-based development company Jomast to convert it into a hotel.

Mrs Mortimer said: “This funding is amazing news. Securing the maximum £25million available will mean we can now press ahead with a host of improvements to our town centre.

“From reimagining Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, providing better connections between the town centre and our amazing Marina and working with the owners of the Wesley to bring that beautiful building back into life, the plans that have been developed are hugely exciting and will make a massive impact across our town centre.

“This is not the end and I will continue to work with government to secure even more investment for Hartlepool so that we can deliver the skilled, well-paid jobs everyone wants to see come to our amazing town.”

The board has stressed that the public will be consulted about the next stage of the initial Town Deal project with work expected to be completed by 2026.

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