Stockton high street redevelopment leaves Game On struggling

Graham Peacock used an inheritance to buy the venue for his business

The redevelopment of Stockton's high street is threatening a once-thriving business, its owner claims.

Graham Peacock, owner of gaming café Game On, fears an ambitious revamp of the town's high street could spell the end of his business.

He says the regeneration work has caused a drop in footfall and a rise in anti-social behaviour around his café.

Stockton's council leader Bob Cook says efforts are being made to minimise disruption and support traders.

However, Mr Peacock says more should be done to help those struggling with the impact of the high street's transformation on existing businesses.

Game On is opposite the site of the former Castlegate shopping centre, which was recently demolished

Game On sits opposite the site of the Castlegate shopping centre - recently demolished to make way for the development of an urban park - where construction work has been going on for more than a year.

Mr Peacock says the rebuild has caused a stark drop in footfall near the site, with noise and vibrations from the works deterring customers and damaging adjacent properties.

Each day, Mr Peacock says he is obliged to undertake a deep clean of the premises, because dust and debris from the works accumulates so quickly across surfaces.

He blames the regeneration for his current difficulty attracting enough customers to keep the lights on, pay staff and cover bridging loans taken out to buy the property.

'A nightmare'

Game On opened in 2017 and initially thrived, before the triple blow of Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, and the town centre regeneration.

Mr Peacock said: "It has been a nightmare - and it's like we can do nothing about it.

"Footfall has drastically fallen off. It started as a steady reduction, as shops began shutting - and now, nobody comes past unless they're going to the pub.

"We really need more support."

Graham Peacock and Sarah Roach, who run Game On

Council leader Bob Cook said there had been engagement with businesses throughout the project, adding that the authority had worked with traders to minimise disruption.

Plans to transform the town centre will "future-proof" the town, deflecting national trends for decreased spending and footfall, he added.

'Anti-social behaviour'

While Mr Peacock initially welcomed the redevelopment plans, he says he feared for his livelihood when he learned Game On would ultimately be adjacent to an urban park and medical clinic.

He says the area is currently rife with anti-social behaviour, and he fears problems will increase once the park opens.

Currently, he estimates he calls the police or council several times a month over incidents, including attacks on staff and property being set on fire.

"A park will attract anti-social behaviour and not enough is being done about that as it is," he says.

"People are already afraid to come to town. I want to see Stockton cleaned up and I want the footfall back - but I don't know how that can happen."

• Images show high street demolition progress

Bob Cook said a Public Space Protection Order, targeting aggressive beggars and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour on the high street, will be extended to cover the new urban park, while Cleveland Police say they regularly carry out high-visibility patrols in the town centre.

Chief Inspector Dan Heron, of Stockton's Neighbourhood Policing Team, said officers take a multi-agency approach to deterring anti-social behaviour in the area.