Hartlepool’s waterfront regeneration is gathering pace – and one of its most treasured landmarks is about to take centre stage.
Hartlepool Borough Council is now seeking a specialist heritage contractor to carry out the next phase of restoration work on the paddle steamer PS Wingfield Castle, a symbol of the town’s maritime legacy.
Moored at the Museum of Hartlepool, the Wingfield Castle has already undergone emergency repairs. Now, thanks to a £1.8 million grant from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, administered by Arts Council England, the vessel is poised for a dramatic transformation.
This exciting new phase will see the ship carefully relocated to land at Trincomalee Wharf, where extensive hull and deck restoration will take place, alongside the installation of new moorings and improved public access infrastructure. Work is scheduled to begin in late 2025, with full restoration running from summer 2026 to spring 2027.
The PS Wingfield Castle
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “The Wingfield Castle is a cherished Hartlepool icon, and we’re looking for a company with proven expertise in maritime heritage to help us restore her to glory and reopen her to the public.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England for their generous support.
“This project is part of a much bigger story – with £150 million being invested in Hartlepool’s physical regeneration, including the stunning new Highlight wellbeing hub, there’s never been a more exciting time to live, work, and invest in our town.”
Subject to further funding, the PS Wingfield Castle’s historic interiors will be lovingly restored to create a captivating onboard visitor experience, breathing new life into the vessel and offering a fresh way to explore Hartlepool’s rich maritime story.
This restoration is a key part of the Council’s ambitious Tides of Change Project – initial work using a development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is under way to develop a proposal to reimagine the Museum of Hartlepool and the PS Wingfield Castle as dynamic, inclusive attractions that celebrate the town’s heritage in bold new ways. The full transformation is expected to be completed by 2029.
Built in Hartlepool by William Gray and Company in 1934, the PS Wingfield Castle is one of the last surviving paddle steamers in the UK and a member of the National Historic Fleet. Rescued by the Council in 1986, she served for many years as a museum and café, becoming a beloved fixture of the town’s waterfront.
Interested companies can find full tender details at www.open-uk.org by searching for PS Wingfield Castle – Phase 2 Works.
The tender reference is #OPEN20251601, and the deadline for submissions is 2pm on Friday 17 October.