News

Exhibition reveals regeneration ideas for Stockton Town Centre

(6 May 2004)

Consultants ideas to ensure a prosperous future for Stockton town centre go on show to the public today in the Holliday Building reception, University of Durham, Queen's Campus, Stockton.

The exhibition will reveal the suggestions for making the town centre a better place to visit, shop, work and relax.

Commissioned jointly by Stockton Council and Stockton Renaissance, consultants Drivers Jonas have studied the town centre closely. They have consulted local people over several months culminating in a public meeting in January to establish Stockton’s current needs and the issues affecting it.

Now they have developed a wide range of ideas for short- and longer-term action that will ensure it can enjoy economic regeneration and future success. These will form the basis of a strategy for the centre.

Amongst the key points are:
- High Street: Co-ordination of different town centre activities, such as retailing, the market and public transport, is suggested so that the High Street works better for all users.

- Market & Shopping: The consultants have considered ways of improving Stockton’s famous Market, along with other retail provision. In particular, they have looked at opportunities for major food retailing and the provision of more coffee shops/pavement cafes, both of which are under represented.

- Riverside: The River Tees is a feature that is almost unique to Stockton compared with other towns in the region. The consultants propose that the riverside should become more integrated with the town, particularly as a focus for leisure activities. Improved landscaping, traffic calming measures and better linkages with the town centre are proposed.

- Culture, Leisure and Entertainment: Linked to each of these areas is the role of Stockton Town Centre as a place to enjoy. The consultants recognise the opportunity to make Stockton a place for leisure and entertainment, making the most of the riverside environment and encouraging town centre living.

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for Regeneration and Development, said: “There are some very bold suggestions being made and we urge people to come along to the exhibition to see what is being put forward.

“Have a look at the ideas for the market and retail facilities – see if you think they meet shoppers’ needs. See what you think of the suggestions for the buses, for leisure and a host of other matters that are important to the town centre’s future prosperity.

“The important thing is that, at this stage, these are simply a set of ideas that consultants have developed from what local people have told them, and which they believe could be practicable and commercially viable.

“The Council has yet to comment on them, so we are some way from adopting them as firm plans that are set in stone. Certainly some of the proposals seem very exciting but there may be others we’ll need to know more about.

“So now is the time to come and say what you think of the ideas, to take the opportunity to support, change or otherwise influence them.”

Tim Claxton, Associate Partner with consultants Drivers Jonas, said: "Stockton has the opportunity to make the most of its quite outstanding physical features. Both the River and the town's High Street are the back-drop against which the town centre can move forward."

Everyone is welcome to view the exhibition, which is open from 12 noon today at Queen's Campus until Monday 10 May and complete a response form available at reception. Displays are also on view at Arc until Monday 10 May.