Agenda item

Sam Gilmore - Head of Economic Growth and Infrastructure will provide the panel with a presentation in realtion to the future high street fund and the development of the town centre.

The Chair welcomed Sam Gilmore, Head of Economic Growth and Infrastructure who was in attendance to provide information of the future high street fund and the development of the town centre.

Before covid, town centres have been changing significantly as many have been shopping online, especially those on a retail focus. There is an oversupply of retail space for businesses and this causes many of the current issues and is exacerbated because of the four large, competing shopping centres.

When covid emerged (although it is a reason, not an excuse), online shopping escalated, however the fragility of retail was present long before Covid. However, retail will always have a role but it will need to re-invent and adapt to new commercial conditions, however the Council has no power to compel more retailers to return to the town centre. Research has shown that people have time for leisure, free time and we need to compete with outside shopping centres. It demonstrates people’s passion for experiences and interaction.

In terms of the strategy, it is based on Densification and Diversification, we need to do the following:

•        Living: building residential communities in central Middlesbrough.

•       Skills and Learning: integrating our educational services and institutions.

•       Working: Bringing Employment and Commercial uses to the centre.

•       Health / Wellbeing: Bringing together public services together.

•       Culture and Leisure: Providing entertainment and spaces for people to enjoy.

•       Retail: Maintaining a strong retail component in the high street.

There were cross cutting themes to bring this together, these include:

•       Transport – Delivering excellent transport and connectivity.

•       Digital – Digitising our town centre and building The Digital City.

•       Environment – Providing green spaces and public places which promote activity and wellbeing.

The officer advised that this would be delivered by the following diagram, the virtuous circle based on mutual sustainability, looking to Stabilise and Grow, continuing to adapt to trends and having a forward outlook- what till the town centre look like in 25 years?

In order to transform the Town centre, the Council  bid for £20.9m in funding and has successfully secured £14.1m from the Future High street fund (FHSF) in the Budget March 2021. The programme has been adjusted to match the funding offer and this has been approved by MHCLG. The current FHSF programme now comprises:

1. £3.5m for residential property;
2. £1.05m for transport adaptations and improving safety / security of town centre areas;
3. £270,352 for cultural animation and experiences;
4. £250k for businesses adaptations for covid mitigations; and,
5. £9.1m for the transformation of Captain Cook Square for leisure uses, incentives, decant compensation, remodelling units, contribution to fit out and adapting public spaces.  This programme is underway.

Performance has been as follows:

•       Residential – Funding offer to church house with 86 residential units.

•       Transport, Safety and Security – we have contributed to some highway adaptations, parking enhancements and lighting projects. Zetland and Captain cook car parks have been painted to look more light and safer.

•       Cultural Animation – matches £5m Cultural Development Fund – work within the Library etc

•       Business Grants – Delivered and complete – time of essence

•       Captain Cook Square – 4 tenants – 3 fitting out now / 1 very soon. Open within 6 to 9 months – major adaptations – protecting tenancies. Coordinated decant. One of these is an e-sports shop, which the panel looked at in a previous review.

Whilst the panel were aware the town centre will never be the same as it was years ago, it is hoped that the fund will allow future plans, which a mixture of retail, leisure and residential. Middlesbrough is a wide space and this can also be a down fall. We are looking at all of the centres we have to accommodate tenants.

A number of comments were made in relation to bus station/transport and car park opening times. In response, the bus station has been a great bonus to new tenants and seen as a positive in bringing consumers into the town. In relation to the car parks, Captain cook spare will stay open until 2am or in order to mirror the business hours, in line with the business needs. There are additional costs with this but these will be covered, however after 6pm parking would be free.

The officer was thanked for his presentation.