A RUN-DOWN shopping parade which has suffered from anti-social behaviour could be in line for a facelift.

A meeting of several groups in the town will include a call to pull together to make improvements to the Greenside shops, in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton.

Councillors have appealed to owners of the parade to attend the meeting, with police and business owners.

It is hoped the session will kickstart a much-needed refurbishment of the area, which has a lack of lighting and where crowds of youths gather.

Local beat officer Kevin Stockley said security cameras are essential in protecting members of the community.

"The aim of the meeting is to let business owners air their concerns and for all parties to listen and do their best to address them," he said.

"Security footage is a must, as well as lighting up the parade to make people feel safe.

"No type of refurbishment has been carried out at the Greenside parade since it was built about 25 years ago. Something has to be done now."

PC Stockley told how extra patrols have been brought in to control gatherings of gangs of young people.

Signs have also been erected warning that no ball games may be played.

Various local businesses occupy the seven units at the parade of shops, ranging from a hairdresser and an optician to a local convenience store.

The shops, car park and surrounding land is privately owned and managed by Browns Estate Agency, which occupies one of the units at Greenside.

A number of interested parties have approached local councillors, asking for improvements to be made to the environment to return the parade of shops to its former condition.

"Local residents complain that the parade has seen very little investment over recent years and, consequently, the area is now looking tired, worn and dull," said ward councillor David Harrington.

A ward surgery will be held on Wednesday, January 3, starting at 6pm, at All Saints' School, Blair Avenue, Ingleby Barwick.

The businesses at Greenside will be invited, as well as the owners, Browns, police and anti-social behaviour teams from Stockton Borough Council.

Bringing these groups together, the councillors hope, will start conversations, to be followed up by action that will ultimately bring improvements.