A PROJECT to bring empty and tired town centre buildings back into use has received a multi-million pound boost.

Stockton Council has been granted almost £2m by the Heritage Lottery fund for a five-year scheme to improve sites at the town centre’s northern gateway, near Norton Road and the Victoria Estate. Sixteen buildings are being lined up for work to their exterior and interior, according to the council, with work starting later this year. 

Bennetts fish and chip shop and Manhattan’s on the High Street are set to benefit, as well as the former Lucinda’s restaurant on Norton Road. Paving and green space outside Tennant Street, the medical centre between Laing Street and Tennant Street as well as the entrance to the Victoria housing estate, from Norton Road, will be spruced up. 

As well as the £1.85m lottery money, £600,000 is being stumped up by private owners and £500,000 is coming from the council.

John Wilson, who owns 16 High Street where Bennetts sits, welcomed the money but was unsure at the moment where it would be spent.

He said: “There’s been a study carried out on our buildings – and no doubt on other buildings on the high street as well. These have pointed out long term faults and problems in structures which have come to light. 

“This cash is supposed to help resolve this and improve the overall appeal to bring it up to modern standards. But until we see the detail, we don’t really know what the outcome will be.”

The co-owner of the listed three-storey site said his building had a rich history and the idea of the scheme was to bring high street sites back into use. But he said he had a slight worry whether building owners could afford the “substantial sums” to do the work.

Mr Wilson added: “It’s going to take a lot of careful haggling but it’s vital the buildings themselves look the part. “Otherwise we’ll have these High Street events on camera and the backdrop is not going to look very clever.” 

Vacancy rates on the High Street have long been a problem in Stockton. Occupancy has risen slightly since the last major study on the town centre in 2016, when more than a fifth of units were found to be empty. However, the loss of big names like Marks and Spencer and the impending closure of Debenhams next year have dealt blows to regeneration efforts. 

Cllr Nigel Cooke, the cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: "Many of these buildings have significant historical value and with external support from partners like the National Lottery, we are able to bring vacant spaces into use, restore them back to the attractive heritage buildings they once were and protect them so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

"This scheme will also complement the regeneration works already complete in the central area of the High Street and throughout the town centre including the Fountain Shopping Mall, the Grade II listed 25 High Street.”