LOVE it or loathe it – the end is nigh for one of Teesside’s most imposing buildings. 

Stockton’s Castlegate shopping centre is set to begin being demolished in May after council officials revealed a plan in new documents. 

Bosses want to replace the ageing centre with an ambitious riverside park by 2025 featuring council facilities at the southern end of the High Street, as well as office space and a new leisure centre. 

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A report prepared for next week’s place select committee shows demolition has been “planned to begin in May”.

It added the remaining Castlegate tenants were “likely to be relocated shortly” but this would not be affected by the first phase of the demolition. 

The report stated: “(The) key challenge will be to ensure disruption from demolition is minimised and that the different phases of work are properly communicated to businesses and the public to ensure as little disruption as possible.”

Officials went on to say there would be an “opportunity for further engagement” once the detailed design for the waterfront park and new buildings were underway. 

Designed by corrupt architect John Poulson, the Castlegate opened its doors in 1972.

It features a 150ft food hall and pyramid designs on its ceiling as part of its modernist design. 

Customer toilets at the shopping hub closed last month to pave the way for the spring demolition.

Pre-demolition surveys are expected to continue into March. 

Stockton Council spent £13.8m on getting control of both the Castlegate and the former Swallow Hotel in 2019 – adding to its purchase of Wellington Square that same year. 

A five acre stretch to replace the buildings is set to feature trees, performance areas and a land-bridge to the River Tees.

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A replacement for the Splash leisure centre is also planned for the High Street. 

Earlier this week, council leader Bob Cook said: “We’re building a new, modern leisure centre along with therapeutic and rehabilitation services to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of our residents. 

“It will be delivered in an integrated building alongside a new library, customer service centre, register office and flexible space for civic and public facing business meetings on the southern end of the waterfront site.”

 

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