The Town Deal - Introduction and Overview

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Artists impression of what the Waterfront development could look like

Project Update...

We are delighted to announce that the Government has approved all five projects which make up the Town Deal!
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given the go-ahead for:

  • The renovation of the former Wesley Chapel
  • Connectivity improvements between The Waterfront, the town centre and Seaton Carew
  • Health and social care skills academy
  • Civil engineering skills academy
  • The reimagining of the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre


This clears the way for work to start imminently.

What is the Towns Deal?

Hartlepool was one of 100 towns across England invited to develop innovative regeneration plans and potentially secure up to £25 million through the Government’s Towns Deal initiative.

The Towns Deal forms part of the Government’s levelling up agenda aimed at rebalancing the national economy by boosting economic growth and raising living standards. The aim of the fund is to address growth constraints and unlock the economic potential of areas such as Hartlepool. The fund also forms part of the Government’s broader COVID-19 recovery package.

As part of the process of securing a Town Deal, a Town Investment Plan setting out proposed developments and how they would be delivered within a five-year period was drafted. Work on this was carried out throughout 2020 – a very challenging time due to the pandemic - and submitted to the Government at the end of January.

The whole process was led by the Hartlepool Town Deal Board - chaired by local businessman Alby Pattison and comprising representatives of the local public, private and voluntary sectors - and shaped by consultation with the local community.

Understanding local aspirations and concerns has already helped shape the proposals for Hartlepool and ensured that the priority projects identified will create lasting benefits for existing and future residents.

£25m Town Deal

Hartlepool has been successful in securing a £25m Town Deal from the Government.

The Government will now work with Hartlepool Borough Council and the Town Deal Board to support the delivery of a Town Deal, with the goal of ensuring all Hartlepool residents have a share in the town’s success.

Development proposals include further town centre regeneration, including the re-imagining of the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, to create a clearly-defined mixed heart for the town centre; better links between the marina, town centre and railway station; and health and civil engineering training institutes that will help people develop new skills.

Funding for individual projects is subject to successfully completing Phase 2 of the Towns Deal process. This includes detailed project development and business case assurance at local level. Local partners will work with government to demonstrate the feasibility, viability and value for money of their projects.

We will need further input from the community during this next stage and more information about how to get involved will be provided shortly.

Accelerated Funding

Hartlepool has been awarded £1m in accelerated funding from the Towns Deal to bring forward projects that support jobs and economic growth. The Town Deal Board allocated this funding to secure the future of the Grade II Listed former Shades Hotel and to refurbish 15 Church Street. These properties will help to continue the regeneration of the Church Street area.

Artists impression of what the Waterfront development could look like

Project Update...

We are delighted to announce that the Government has approved all five projects which make up the Town Deal!
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given the go-ahead for:

  • The renovation of the former Wesley Chapel
  • Connectivity improvements between The Waterfront, the town centre and Seaton Carew
  • Health and social care skills academy
  • Civil engineering skills academy
  • The reimagining of the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre


This clears the way for work to start imminently.

What is the Towns Deal?

Hartlepool was one of 100 towns across England invited to develop innovative regeneration plans and potentially secure up to £25 million through the Government’s Towns Deal initiative.

The Towns Deal forms part of the Government’s levelling up agenda aimed at rebalancing the national economy by boosting economic growth and raising living standards. The aim of the fund is to address growth constraints and unlock the economic potential of areas such as Hartlepool. The fund also forms part of the Government’s broader COVID-19 recovery package.

As part of the process of securing a Town Deal, a Town Investment Plan setting out proposed developments and how they would be delivered within a five-year period was drafted. Work on this was carried out throughout 2020 – a very challenging time due to the pandemic - and submitted to the Government at the end of January.

The whole process was led by the Hartlepool Town Deal Board - chaired by local businessman Alby Pattison and comprising representatives of the local public, private and voluntary sectors - and shaped by consultation with the local community.

Understanding local aspirations and concerns has already helped shape the proposals for Hartlepool and ensured that the priority projects identified will create lasting benefits for existing and future residents.

£25m Town Deal

Hartlepool has been successful in securing a £25m Town Deal from the Government.

The Government will now work with Hartlepool Borough Council and the Town Deal Board to support the delivery of a Town Deal, with the goal of ensuring all Hartlepool residents have a share in the town’s success.

Development proposals include further town centre regeneration, including the re-imagining of the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, to create a clearly-defined mixed heart for the town centre; better links between the marina, town centre and railway station; and health and civil engineering training institutes that will help people develop new skills.

Funding for individual projects is subject to successfully completing Phase 2 of the Towns Deal process. This includes detailed project development and business case assurance at local level. Local partners will work with government to demonstrate the feasibility, viability and value for money of their projects.

We will need further input from the community during this next stage and more information about how to get involved will be provided shortly.

Accelerated Funding

Hartlepool has been awarded £1m in accelerated funding from the Towns Deal to bring forward projects that support jobs and economic growth. The Town Deal Board allocated this funding to secure the future of the Grade II Listed former Shades Hotel and to refurbish 15 Church Street. These properties will help to continue the regeneration of the Church Street area.

Questions about the Towns Deal

Please feel free to ask the Team any questions about the Towns Deal and its five projects.  We will aim to answer them as quick as we can.

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  • Share Regeneration of Lower Church Street and improvement of its connectivity with the Marina. Is there a Critical Path Analysis for the construction works plan ? What is on the critical path ? Where does the refurbishment of the Shades Hotel sit within the construction plan ? After spending a considerable sum of money on the hard landscaping of upper Church Street, and the widening of the pavement of Lower Church Street, one assumes the regeneration completion target of Church Street has a high priority. on Facebook Share Regeneration of Lower Church Street and improvement of its connectivity with the Marina. Is there a Critical Path Analysis for the construction works plan ? What is on the critical path ? Where does the refurbishment of the Shades Hotel sit within the construction plan ? After spending a considerable sum of money on the hard landscaping of upper Church Street, and the widening of the pavement of Lower Church Street, one assumes the regeneration completion target of Church Street has a high priority. on Twitter Share Regeneration of Lower Church Street and improvement of its connectivity with the Marina. Is there a Critical Path Analysis for the construction works plan ? What is on the critical path ? Where does the refurbishment of the Shades Hotel sit within the construction plan ? After spending a considerable sum of money on the hard landscaping of upper Church Street, and the widening of the pavement of Lower Church Street, one assumes the regeneration completion target of Church Street has a high priority. on Linkedin Email Regeneration of Lower Church Street and improvement of its connectivity with the Marina. Is there a Critical Path Analysis for the construction works plan ? What is on the critical path ? Where does the refurbishment of the Shades Hotel sit within the construction plan ? After spending a considerable sum of money on the hard landscaping of upper Church Street, and the widening of the pavement of Lower Church Street, one assumes the regeneration completion target of Church Street has a high priority. link

    Regeneration of Lower Church Street and improvement of its connectivity with the Marina. Is there a Critical Path Analysis for the construction works plan ? What is on the critical path ? Where does the refurbishment of the Shades Hotel sit within the construction plan ? After spending a considerable sum of money on the hard landscaping of upper Church Street, and the widening of the pavement of Lower Church Street, one assumes the regeneration completion target of Church Street has a high priority.

    Fred Hallums asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your questions about both Waterfront Connectivity  which is a project funded under Town Deal, and the project to create a Screen Industries Production Village in and around Church Street which is funded through Levelling Up Fund Round 2. 

    There is a phased programme of works for both projects, which have been approved by government as part of the development of the Green Book Compliant Business Cases and successful funding bids. 

    The connectivity works are already in delivery, and more information can be found on the Waterfront Connectivity page on YourSay including details of completed works to date. 

    The Critical Path Analysis for the Production Village is now in development following final approval of the Council’s funding bid in May, and this will include the full restoration of the Shades Hotel to provide pre and post production facilities. The plan will include acquisition, full design, contractor procurement, repurposing, renovation and redevelopment across a number of properties, and updates will be provided on YourSay at as the project progresses.

  • Share Who are the members of the town deal board on Facebook Share Who are the members of the town deal board on Twitter Share Who are the members of the town deal board on Linkedin Email Who are the members of the town deal board link

    Who are the members of the town deal board

    E.H asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. Information on the Town Deal Board can be found on this dedicated web page including membership https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/homepage/100/hartlepool_town_deal_board_members 


  • Share When will we see the works starting? on Facebook Share When will we see the works starting? on Twitter Share When will we see the works starting? on Linkedin Email When will we see the works starting? link

    When will we see the works starting?

    Fionam asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for the question. Works have already begun in April on the Waterfront Connectivity project (more detail can be found on the project page), the Wesley Chapel redevelopment began in May, while the development of the two new skills Academies will begin in June. The Reimagining Middleton Grange project is a far more complex scheme and is currently at final design stage with works not expected to start until early 2024.

  • Share When will the council do as the people have requested. Do they not work for the people anymore. We don't want public money being spent on private premises unless they are being purchased so we can see a profit otherwise there is no responsibility on the owners to do anything to their premises. If they leave them long enough the council will pay to restore. on Facebook Share When will the council do as the people have requested. Do they not work for the people anymore. We don't want public money being spent on private premises unless they are being purchased so we can see a profit otherwise there is no responsibility on the owners to do anything to their premises. If they leave them long enough the council will pay to restore. on Twitter Share When will the council do as the people have requested. Do they not work for the people anymore. We don't want public money being spent on private premises unless they are being purchased so we can see a profit otherwise there is no responsibility on the owners to do anything to their premises. If they leave them long enough the council will pay to restore. on Linkedin Email When will the council do as the people have requested. Do they not work for the people anymore. We don't want public money being spent on private premises unless they are being purchased so we can see a profit otherwise there is no responsibility on the owners to do anything to their premises. If they leave them long enough the council will pay to restore. link

    When will the council do as the people have requested. Do they not work for the people anymore. We don't want public money being spent on private premises unless they are being purchased so we can see a profit otherwise there is no responsibility on the owners to do anything to their premises. If they leave them long enough the council will pay to restore.

    Fionam asked over 1 year ago

    The only asset being regenerated as part of the Hartlepool Town Deal that is in private ownership is the Wesley Chapel and the restoration costs have a £1.4m ‘viability gap’. This is a common issue with listed and heritage buildings, such as the Grade II listed Wesleyan Chapel and more detail is provided in responses to previous questions. The government has provided the Council with the funding for what is known as the conservation deficit to ensure that the heritage value is protected, the building comes into use, the owners invest £2.5m and project results in 55 full time jobs upon operation.

  • Share Can you please email me the proposed drawings and plans of all these improvements. on Facebook Share Can you please email me the proposed drawings and plans of all these improvements. on Twitter Share Can you please email me the proposed drawings and plans of all these improvements. on Linkedin Email Can you please email me the proposed drawings and plans of all these improvements. link

    Can you please email me the proposed drawings and plans of all these improvements.

    Stuart Finlay asked over 1 year ago

    Many thanks for the question about all of our Town Deal projects. Our website and individual project pages across 'YourSay' are currently being refreshed with lots of up to date information about how the projects being delivered in partnership with a number of organisations are progressing, and information that can be made publicly available will be shared on these pages in due course.

  • Share I am wanting to know the plans for town centre it self? I work in the centre near B&m is my job safe or are you nocking thst part of the centre down on Facebook Share I am wanting to know the plans for town centre it self? I work in the centre near B&m is my job safe or are you nocking thst part of the centre down on Twitter Share I am wanting to know the plans for town centre it self? I work in the centre near B&m is my job safe or are you nocking thst part of the centre down on Linkedin Email I am wanting to know the plans for town centre it self? I work in the centre near B&m is my job safe or are you nocking thst part of the centre down link

    I am wanting to know the plans for town centre it self? I work in the centre near B&m is my job safe or are you nocking thst part of the centre down

    Bobby asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Lauren, thank you for your question.   The project is the first phase of re-imagining the shopping centre and focuses on removal of the North East wing, bringing the former Binns building back into use.  In this phase no removal or any changes to the remainder of the shopping centre are included. The next stage of this projects development will be looking at lots of options for improving the shopping centre.  All news updates will be posted on our 'Your Say' portal, so please regularly check on this system.

  • Share Hi my question is are you nocking down near B&m, macdolads in in the town centre as I work near b8m and worried if I still will have a job or not on Facebook Share Hi my question is are you nocking down near B&m, macdolads in in the town centre as I work near b8m and worried if I still will have a job or not on Twitter Share Hi my question is are you nocking down near B&m, macdolads in in the town centre as I work near b8m and worried if I still will have a job or not on Linkedin Email Hi my question is are you nocking down near B&m, macdolads in in the town centre as I work near b8m and worried if I still will have a job or not link

    Hi my question is are you nocking down near B&m, macdolads in in the town centre as I work near b8m and worried if I still will have a job or not

    Lauren asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Lauren, thank you for your question. The project is the first phase of re-imagining the shopping centre and focuses on removal of the North East wing, bringing the former Binns building back into use, but in Phase 1 no removal or any changes to the remainder of the shopping centre are included.  Far from jobs being lost, the project is about protecting existing jobs and creating new ones in a more vibrant town centre. High vacancy rates and empty units mean we want to change the footprint of the north east corner of the centre and encourage new and different uses in to the town, and improve the experience people have and increase the numbers using the existing centre.  All news updates will be posted on our 'Your Say' portal, so please regularly check on this system.

  • Share The Town Centre and Wesley Chapel are privately owned. Why are you using our money to improve these things? They can sell later at a profit. on Facebook Share The Town Centre and Wesley Chapel are privately owned. Why are you using our money to improve these things? They can sell later at a profit. on Twitter Share The Town Centre and Wesley Chapel are privately owned. Why are you using our money to improve these things? They can sell later at a profit. on Linkedin Email The Town Centre and Wesley Chapel are privately owned. Why are you using our money to improve these things? They can sell later at a profit. link

    The Town Centre and Wesley Chapel are privately owned. Why are you using our money to improve these things? They can sell later at a profit.

    Robert J asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Robert

    Thanks for your question, we have provided responses to a series of similar questions on the Wesley Chapel page of Your Say, which can be found here:

    https://yoursay.hartlepool.gov.uk/admin/projects/wesleychapel/qanda 

    Many thanks

  • Share If we regenerate the town centre, how are we going to fill the units? The price of rentals are far to high for buisnesses now, so in new builds it will be far more expensive and in the end it will be the same with empty units and a ghost shopping centre. on Facebook Share If we regenerate the town centre, how are we going to fill the units? The price of rentals are far to high for buisnesses now, so in new builds it will be far more expensive and in the end it will be the same with empty units and a ghost shopping centre. on Twitter Share If we regenerate the town centre, how are we going to fill the units? The price of rentals are far to high for buisnesses now, so in new builds it will be far more expensive and in the end it will be the same with empty units and a ghost shopping centre. on Linkedin Email If we regenerate the town centre, how are we going to fill the units? The price of rentals are far to high for buisnesses now, so in new builds it will be far more expensive and in the end it will be the same with empty units and a ghost shopping centre. link

    If we regenerate the town centre, how are we going to fill the units? The price of rentals are far to high for buisnesses now, so in new builds it will be far more expensive and in the end it will be the same with empty units and a ghost shopping centre.

    Paul Stockdale asked about 2 years ago

    Thanks for the email Paul, there are no new retail units being built as part of this Phase 1 under Towns Deal with the project focusing on bringing the former Binns Building back into use, removing the north east wing and creating public realm with improved accessibility

  • Share If you go ahead and renovate the Grade 2 listed Shades building and also refurnish 15 Church Street. What will both of these buildings be intended to be used for? Also would they be cost effective for local small businesses to rent? on Facebook Share If you go ahead and renovate the Grade 2 listed Shades building and also refurnish 15 Church Street. What will both of these buildings be intended to be used for? Also would they be cost effective for local small businesses to rent? on Twitter Share If you go ahead and renovate the Grade 2 listed Shades building and also refurnish 15 Church Street. What will both of these buildings be intended to be used for? Also would they be cost effective for local small businesses to rent? on Linkedin Email If you go ahead and renovate the Grade 2 listed Shades building and also refurnish 15 Church Street. What will both of these buildings be intended to be used for? Also would they be cost effective for local small businesses to rent? link

    If you go ahead and renovate the Grade 2 listed Shades building and also refurnish 15 Church Street. What will both of these buildings be intended to be used for? Also would they be cost effective for local small businesses to rent?

    NTK100 asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. 15 Church Street will be let for commercial use on the ground floor and residential accommodation on the first and second floor. The terms for these however have not yet been agreed at this stage of the project. Shades is a longer term project working with ‘Cameron’s’ as a commercial partner. This was unfortunately delayed due to the pandemic but we hope to provide an update on this project in the coming months which we will post on the HBC regeneration web pages.

Page last updated: 09 Nov 2023, 10:27 AM