Stockton Council regeneration lead speaks out on Shambles

Councillor Richard Eglington will tell council leaders the authority had offered tenants who run businesses in the 19th century shopping centre and market hall “the first of many opportunities” to get clarity and advice from officers.

This comes after businesspeople received a letter from the council from Stockton Council, telling them of proposals to “market the Shambles as as a food and beverage opportunity and to lease the entire building”.

They were told no decisions had been made yet, but “if approved and a food and beverage operator is sought, the council will require vacant possession”. They said they felt “stuck in limbo” and spoke of their worries about moving the businesses they had built up in the community, with some saying they may have to close altogether if the plans go ahead.

Stockton MPs have responded to the proposals, which will be discussed by council leaders on Thursday.

Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, said “local traders deserve better” and accused the council of “betraying hard-working business owners at The Shambles”, while Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, said the council “must commit” to finding all Shambles traders an affordable, appropriate and accessible new home in the immediate High Street area.

Sharing the speech he will give at Thursday’s cabinet meeting with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Eglington said: “The Shambles sit at the heart of our great town. It’s a loved and cherished grade II listed building and there are no plans to knock it down.

“When developing the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint [announced a year ago], The Shambles were identified as an opportunity to develop a food and beverage offering. It was clear from conversations with interested parties that the whole building would be needed for the proposal to work.

“No decision has been made, and it will not be made until the cabinet vote on the proposals but if approved the council would need vacant possession. For this the current tenants would need to move out.

“Letters outlining the proposals and not eviction notices have been sent to the tenants, and a meeting was offered the next day. To be clear this is the first of many opportunities that the tenants have to speak to the officers and to get advice and clarity.

“We wanted to make the first offer of a meeting quickly so that the tenants would have the chance to ask questions and get answers before the speculation started. Five tenants took the opportunity and spoke to the business development team, they were offered bespoke business support including offers of a business plan, exploring relocation opportunities and other funding sources.

“We will continue to offer meetings and support, and we hope that all current tenants take the opportunity to meet and get support.

“We don’t want any businesses to close, and we hope that with the support of the business development team that the businesses will grow and develop further. The aim of the redevelopment in Stockton High Street is to increase footfall and bring new attractions and new offerings to the town.

“This new development will hopefully bring more people into Stockton and help develop new customers for all the businesses of Stockton.”