Future of 'eyesore' Golden Eagle in Thornaby resolved

Stockton Council has this week (Thursday, October 17) taken control of the “rotting” building, and now hopes to bulldoze the site in early 2025.

The Golden Eagle has been a key part of the town since the 1970s and was hugely popular in its heyday - but in recent years has been subject to fires, vandalism, and fly-tipping incidents. 

The news comes months after proposals were finally green-lit to knock down the building by council leaders as part of a £43m regeneration package. 

The Golden Eagle in Thornaby (Image: GOOGLE)

Now, a new planning application will be lodged for the building’s demolition specifically, and subject to approval, The Eagle will be demolished early next year. 

As previously reported in June, Stockton Council confirmed it was set to give up complete ownership of the town centre to LCP Proudreed, which effectively owns the centre due to a 150-year lease that has 143 years unexpired. 

The council has now acquired the leasehold interests on the building - which will provide a cleared site for future redevelopment, led by the current town centre owner, LCP Proudreed.

As part of regeneration plans for the town, a new swimming pool, gym and leisure facility is also planned on the site of the former Phoenix House site, which was demolished in 2023.

Pictures from when urban explorers went inside the building (Image: LOST IN TIME URBEX)

A planning submission for the facility was submitted in July, which includes a five-lane swimming pool, a new entrance, gym provision, better car parking and public realm improvements. Subject to planning approval, construction of the new leisure facility will start in spring next year.

Tackling long-term vacant properties in the town for re-development is one of the key areas that the board identified as a priority for the £23.9 million of Town Deal funding.

The board is made up of a range of local stakeholders, including Thornaby councillors and MPs for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East and Stockton West.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “We’ve been waiting a number of years for this day and I am delighted that it’s finally here.

“The Council has been working through complex lease arrangements to find a resolution and I know everyone has been keen to know about the future of the Golden Eagle as it is something that has blighted Thornaby for a long time.

“The Eagle is an eyesore in its current state and is a barrier to unlocking further development in the town centre, so it’s fantastic news to be able to say that we are now in control of the building.

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“The next step is looking towards bringing the building down shortly to allow the opportunity for new development as part of plans for our six town centres to be vibrant and economically successful, so they attract investment and are fit for future generations.”

Andy McDonald, Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, said: "It was great to meet with the Thornaby Town Deal Board and its members to mark the occasion of the future of the Golden Eagle finally being resolved.

"This week Stockton Council took control of the eyesore property which means they can now pull it down, probably early in the new year and not before time.

"We all have fond memories of the Golden Eagle from its heyday but it's been a blot on the landscape for too long.

"So it's great news that we can start the process of regeneration in Thornaby town centre. There are wonderful things to come and I can't wait to see developments start to happen."

Mark White CBE DL, Chair of the Thornaby Town Deal Board, said: “The acquisition of the Golden Eagle is excellent news as part of the Town Deal Board’s ambitions to bring long-term change to Thornaby.

“I am delighted to be with the Board to mark such a momentous occasion for Thornaby-on-Tees and I would like to thank every member for their hard work in reaching this outcome.”