The Assistant Director for
Inclusive Growth and Development from Stockton-on-Tees Borough
Council will be in attendance to provide a presentation on current regeneration
in Stockton-on-Tees.
Recommendation: that the Scrutiny Panel considers whether
any further information is required for the scrutiny investigation.
Minutes:
The Assistant Director for Inclusive Growth and Development from Stockton on Tees Borough Council (SBC) was in attendance and provided Members with an overview of the work that was being undertaken to regenerate areas of Stockton on Tees.
SBC was undertaking a large-scale initiative to regenerate Stockton town centre and surrounding areas. Much like Middlesbrough, SBC had identified that retail space in Stockton town centre was too vast and no longer sustainable in the modern landscape of online shopping and retail parks such as Teesside Park. The Council had created a more compact retail core by demolishing the Castlegate Shopping Centre with most retail shops now being located in Wellington Square and the northern part of the High Street.
Members heard that the layout of the town centre was no longer in keeping with SBC’s vision and the river once heavily industrial in the 1960’s when the shopping centre was first built, had since been cleaned up. An urban riverside park was now being developed which would connect the waterfront with the High Street.
Members were advised that the urban park would not generate any money, however SBC were trying to create an environment for growth and investment. The park would have an amphitheatre which would host events and animate the river.
A priority for SBC was the re-establishment of the residential market, with ‘city centre living’ becoming increasingly popular, incorporating cafes, gyms and riverside settings. Graduates were moving away from the area as they preferred ‘city centre living’ so by re-establishing the residential market it was hoped to retain graduates in the town.
A key focus for SBC was the organisation of events held in the town centre to drive footfall; Members were advised that SBC had installed anchor points and underground power supplies across the town to support events. It was advised that shared spaces including carparks in the town could double up as events spaces.
The Globe Theatre, originally built on 1935 was key to drawing visitors to the town. The theatre had been majorly refurbished and reopened as a live venue in 2021 maintaining its cultural heritage while adapting to modern times. The town also benefited from two smaller venues The Arc and Georgian Theatre.
Stockton town centre had benefited from a regular market since 1310, the market continued to take place twice a week, the market was a very important park of the town and history. As part of the regeneration, it was vital to make provision and space to continue the market. Members heard that the fountains on the High Street prevented the space from looking barren when the market was not on.
Members heard about the Stockton Flyer, situated behind the town hall, the Stockton Flyer was a fantastic automated mechanical sculpture that appeared every day at 1.03pm it rises from within the giant stone plinth that houses it, clanging, hooting, steaming and chuffing for a full 15 minutes, this sculpture draws crowds daily including visiting school children.
Diversification was also important to SBC when transforming the town centre. A former two-storey retail unit had been transformed into repurposed retail units for smaller businesses on the ground floor and an employment training hub on the first floor which had supported 1750 people into work since it opened in 2021.
Stockton town centre benefited from the Enterprise Arcade which enabled new small businesses to testbed their business ideas to ensure they did not fail before signing up to things like a lease. Successful businesses born from the Enterprise Centre included Drakes Bookshop and Wags and Whiskers.
An NHS Community Diagnostic Centre had been built on the High Street, bringing health provision back to the town centre and creating an accessible site for residents. A further health offer was also being looked at for the other end of the High Street.
These types of additions served their own important purpose but also helped to improve town centre footfall.
A Member queried if there was adequate parking within the town centre, it was confirmed that at present there was adequate parking this was kept under constant review via the Car Parking Strategy.
Members praised Stockton’s work for its innovation and willingness to take bold action.
A Member queried how hearts and minds of residents could be won back once a poor reputation had been established.
The Assistant Director stated that the reputation was mostly about perception – crime etc was not reflected in statistics. Issues that are seen for example public drinking needed to be tackled and different ways of attracting footfall to make people see the town in a different light. It was stated that events were very important to give people different reasons to travel into the town. The residential aspect was also very important to change demographic of the town.
A Member asked when the events would begin to take place in the urban park, it was advised that the park would be opened from Spring 2026 the council was curating the space and working to understand what events could be held such as local offers including Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) and Bonfire Night fireworks.
It was queried what type of events are best on a per cost basis. Members heard that a Pretty Woman Flashmob had taken place on the High Street this was a free event which had been created by the Globe. An event had also taken place with Ashley Banjo – Big Town Dance, were he and his dance troupe Diversity aimed to unite the community by teaching the entire town a large street dance routine to boost local spirits, culminating in a huge public performance on the high street, 1000 people took part in this free event
AGREED as follows:
·
That the information provided was received and
noted