£20m confirmed to 'revitalise' town centre

Billingham has been handed £20m to help create jobs and build new homes

Funding of £20m to "revitalise" a town centre has been confirmed in the Autumn Budget.

The previous government had promised the Levelling Up money to Billingham, on Teesside, but the funds had been put under review.

In Labour's first Budget since 2010, it confirmed plans to deliver a "vibrant, revitalised town centre" were to go ahead.

The project includes plans to create jobs, expand retail offerings, create accessible infrastructure, and make "significant" public space improvements.

Proposals to regenerate Billingham town centre had been rejected twice in previous Levelling Up Fund rounds, before the project was given the go-ahead in November 2023.

However, after Labour returned to power in July’s general election, it froze various Levelling Up schemes.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £1bn in 2025-26 for core Levelling Up Fund projects in the October Budget, including for Billingham.

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Labour MP for Stockton North Chris McDonald said it was a "huge win" for the town, with "substantial economic benefits".

Plans include bringing back 10 dilapidated buildings into use, new commercial and retail space and building 160 homes.

They would also create 800 permanent jobs, including both new roles and safeguarded positions, McDonald said.

However, Stockton Conservative councillor Niall Innes said the uncertainty over funding had been an "insult" to the town.

"I am delighted that Billingham will receive the £20m it was awarded in Levelling Up funding thanks to the previous Conservative Government," he said.

"Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing spades in the ground."