Hartlepool: Shopping centre deal agreed in town transformation

Plans for Middleton Grange involve creating new frontage for the centre and opening it up to a wider range of uses beyond shopping

A deal to takeover a shopping centre will form part of plans to transform Hartlepool town centre.

Hartlepool Development Corporation has negotiated to buy the long lease of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.

The corporation said it was part of the "overall masterplan for Hartlepool", which involves reshaping the waterfront and building 1,300 new homes.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the deal unlocked "major opportunities" to "reinvigorate" the town.

The shopping centre agreement will see Hartlepool Borough Council retain the freehold of the site, with the Development Corporation board appointing asset and property managers to oversee Middleton Grange on its behalf.

Lord Houchen, who is chair of the Development Corporation, said his team could "now get on with the job of transforming the centre".

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Proposals for Middleton Grange, which is home to retailers including Primark and Boots, include creating new frontage for the centre and opening it up to a wider range of uses beyond shopping.

Approval to proceed with the deal was previously granted at a board meeting in November.

Lord Houchen said the shopping centre was a "hugely important part" of Hartlepool's transformation plan.

Council leader Mike Young said the local authority "welcomed the news", adding the project was one of several "laying the foundations for a brighter future for Hartlepool".