'Exciting times' for Hartlepool - but it's vital everyone gets involved with £25million bid, says chief

Those are the words of a town leader as online consultations as part of Hartlepool's involvement in the Government’s Town Fund initiative near their closing date of Monday, August 31.

Ideas for how to make the town a better place to live and work are wanted to develop a Town Investment Plan and release funding to make it a reality.

Cllr Christopher Akers-Belcher, chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's Regeneration Services Committee, said: “This is a very exciting time for Hartlepool with the prospect of so much Government money being potentially available to us.

“It is important that the investment plan we ultimately draw up addresses the needs and aspirations of local residents and businesses, so it is vital that we get as wide a range of views as possible.”

Bringing life back into the town centre has already been identified as a key area of work for the project.

Project leaders say the available funding will help with the town's economic recovery from Covid-19 and will help to build a stronger Hartlepool.

A Town Deal Board has been established to lead the initiative comprising local business representatives, senior Hartlepool Borough councillors and officers, MP Mike Hill, Hartlepool United, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, town colleges, power station and Love Hartlepool campaign.

Local businessman Alby Pattison, Chair of the Town Deal Board, added: “Investment in Hartlepool through the Town Deal will enable the council to build on infrastructure investment already underway in the town and act as a catalyst to continue attracting further investment to the town, which is critical for the future.

"It is important that the Town Investment Plan reflects the opinions of everyone in the town and I would like to encourage residents and businesses to take part in this consultation through the survey links.”

The resident survey can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Hartlepool_Local_Residents_Survey

And the survey for businesses can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Hartlepool_Local_Business_Survey

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