North East shopping centre announces 'improvements and upgrades' following takeover

Essential improvements and upgrades to Middleton Grange Shopping Centre are to start immediately following Hartlepool Development Corporation’s takeover of the site.

Hartlepool Development Corporation finalised an agreement in late December to buy the long lease for the popular centre, which is home to major retailers including Primark and River Island. 

The purchase process revealed several structural issues requiring repair at the centre, and many opportunities where this work could go further to improve Middleton Grange above and beyond fixing its issues. 

The cost of maintenance repairs is estimated at £1.4m over the next 10 years, deducted from the purchase price, and includes work to repair the centre’s access ramp alongside roof repairs to the centre and the adjoining Grade-II listed former Binns department store. 

A report to be discussed at the next Hartlepool Development Corporation Board meeting on Monday (February 19) sets out how work will start immediately, with no requirement for further funding from the Development Corporation. 

Tees Valley Mayor and Hartlepool Development Corporation Chairman Ben Houchen said: “We are determined to waste no time in getting on with the job of improving Middleton Grange and these improvements come less than two months after the deal to take control was done. 

“The centre is in dire need of investment to bring it up to the standard that Hartlepool shoppers deserve. Getting control means we can move quickly to deliver the improvements that are so badly required.

“This is just the first stage in our plan to drive forward the transformation of Hartlepool and ensure the town centre is a vibrant and welcoming place where people can shop and relax.”

The report also details a planned increase in the centre’s marketing budget to drive an increase in shopper numbers. The cost of the additional marketing will be funded by a surplus in net operating income.  

The transfer of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre gives the Development Corporation control of the centre, helping to improve the retail landscape of the town centre, and repurpose its heart. 

Current plans include regenerated public spaces and new frontage while opening the centre up to a wider range of uses beyond retail. Under the agreement Hartlepool Borough Council retains the freehold of the site, with the HDC Board appointing asset and property managers to oversee Middleton Grange on its behalf.