New pictures have revealed the progress being made towards the demolition of a North East hotel.

New pictures show the Swallow Hotel in Stockton with much of its upper floors destroyed as a high-reach excavator has begun the final stage of demolition.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has said the hotel is expected to be completely cleared by the end of the month.

The Northern Echo: Picture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCILPicture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL (Image: Picture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL)

Preparations for the demolition of Castlegate Shopping Centre mall are also taking place.

The demolition works are set to make way for Stockton Waterfront development, an urban park and land bridge structure that will connect the High Street to the riverside.

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Speaking on the demolition in September 2022, Labour councillor, Nigel Cooke, said: "The demolition of the Castlegate and the Swallow Hotel will transform the look and feel of the High Street and make the most of our town’s riverside setting.

The Northern Echo: Picture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCILPicture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL (Image: Picture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL)

“We’re at a really exciting stage and I can’t wait to see how it progresses. Stockton Waterfront will complement all of the changes we’ve made in recent years to make our town centres places where people want to visit for different reasons other than shopping.”

Meanwhile, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is the first phase of Stockton’s transformation to do just that, bringing the river and town closer together to create a proper leisure space everyone can enjoy."

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The Hotel, which had been empty since 200, had been considered an eyesore by residents before its initial demolition in 2021.

The Northern Echo: Picture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCILPicture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL (Image: Picture: STOCKTON BOROUGH COUNCIL)

Scaffolding has also since been erected on the Castlegate centre to prepare for the demolition of its southern section.

New facilities are planned as part of the southern expanse of the project – including a replacement leisure centre for Splash, a library, NHS facility and customer service centre for Stockton folk.