Seven-figure cost of repairing Hartlepool's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre revealed with improvements set to start 'immediately'

Essential £1.4million improvements and upgrades to Middleton Grange Shopping Centre are to start “immediately” after receiving backing from town chiefs.

It comes after Hartlepool Development Corporation finalised an agreement in late December with Mars Pension Trustees to buy the long lease for the shopping centre.

The purchase process revealed several structural issues requiring repair and many opportunities where this work could go further to improve Middleton Grange, according to development corporation chiefs.

The cost of maintenance repairs is estimated at £1.4million over the next 10 years, which was deducted from the purchase price.

This will include work to the centre’s access ramp alongside roof repairs to the centre and the adjoining Grade-II listed former Binns department store.

More improvements and the development of the centre will be considered further as part of regeneration plans for the site, with procurement currently live to deliver a masterplan for the “Middleton Grange focus area”.

The latest meeting of Hartlepool Development Corporation Board unanimously supported moving ahead with the proposals for the centre.

A report from officers detailed how the maintenance repairs will start “immediately” with no current requirement for further funding.

Tees Valley Mayor and Hartlepool Development Corporation chairman Ben Houchen, speaking before the latest meeting, said they were “determined to waste no time in getting on with the job of improving Middleton Grange”.

He added: “This is just the first stage in our plan to drive forward the transformation of Hartlepool and ensure the town centre is a vibrant and welcoming place where people can shop and relax.”

Reports noted the board are also aware there are investments required to “animate the site, which will improve the experience of retailers and shoppers” and aim to boost visitor footfall and reduce vacancy rates, with business plans being drawn up to deliver this.

Current plans for Middleton Grange include regenerated public spaces and new frontage while opening the centre up to a wider range of uses beyond retail.

Under the agreement Hartlepool Borough Council retains the freehold of the site, with the HDC Board appointing asset and property managers to oversee Middleton Grange on its behalf.