Indoor market closes over structural issues

The Market Hall will close on Friday due to safety concerns

The remaining tenants of an indoor market will leave on Friday following the announcement of its "full closure".

The Market Hall in Hartlepool's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre is closing due to safety concerns, which include the presence of Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof.

Michael Ayre, who has run Ayre's Delicatessen from the market since April 1982, said he had had his "livelihood torn away".

Hartlepool Development Corporation (HDC), which was established by the Tees Valley Mayor, said it was working with tenants to find alternative units and to ensure "minimal disruption".

Large parts of the Market Hall were already closed off and only a small number of stalls remained after many were relocated prior to the HDC's purchase in December 2023.

Mr Ayre said he was "devastated", but believed the building was "undoubtedly condemned".

Michael Ayre has had a shop in the Market Hall since 1982

He said he had been offered relocation but was "offended" by the alternative he was provided with.

"I just want to thank all my customers that have helped me and been with us through the years. I really really appreciate it," he added.

No formal decision on the future of the building has been made.

HDC said it was aware of the "issues relating to the structural condition" of the Market Hall before it purchased the building, which was "reflected in the purchase price".

But further inspection found it was now necessary for the market to "undergo a full closure".

A HDC spokesperson said it was "working closely with a small number of tenants to find alternative provision and ensure minimal disruption to customers and businesses.

There would then be "wider discussions" on the hall's future and the development of the shopping centre, the spokesperson added.