A major development project is set to save a struggling UK town. The project, costing £36million, will see the creation of new community and event spaces in a bid to attract more people to the town’s declining high street.
Stockton-on-Tees, in Durham, has faced declining footfall and shop closures in recent years. However, the regeneration project, which began in 2024 and is now reaching its final stages, is hoped to transform the area into a destination with more visitor appeal.
As reported by the BBC, the major waterfront development is centred around creating a large urban park that links the high street to the River Tees. It involves the demolition of the former Castlegate Shopping Centre and Swallow Hotel.
The urban park will be three times the size of Trafalgar Square. It will feature a large oval for events, three play areas and various heritage features.
A large, terraced amphitheatre is being installed in the park, including a curved seating and central stage area. Meanwhile, the town’s main shopping area will be in Wellington Square and the northern end of the high street.
Councillor Richard Egglington said he hoped the project would “turn the High Street back into a destination centre”. However, the closure of the Castlegate Shopping Centre for the park development has caused disruption for local businesses while the closure of Riverside Road has led to traffic delays in the area.
Claire Church runs the Remember Me Tea Room next to the construction site. The work has impacted her business but she hopes that it will lead to a better future.
She said: “I have to hope and be positive that this will make things better, the old high street model doesn’t work any more. People stopped visiting and shops left, maybe this is a new way to improve things. We have to try new things”.
