Important announcement about Council services, events and meetings

Published Tuesday, 17th March 2020

Following a Government announcement about new measures being put in place to manage the Coronavirus outbreak, we've taken the decision to close a number of our venues offering non-essential services.

These facilities include:

  • Mill House Leisure Centre
  • Brierton Sports Centre
  • Headland Sports Centre
  • Summerhill Visitor Centre
  • Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre
  • Hartlepool Art Gallery
  • Hartlepool Borough Hall
  • Carlton Adventure

We will continue to closely monitor and act on the latest Government advice and will re-open these venues as soon as we can. In the meantime, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

For some customers who have paid for services in advance, arrangements will be made to provide refunds or credit notes. For sport events and activities, fees paid will be credited to future, rescheduled events and activities. For gym membership and learn to swim customers, direct debit payments will be suspended for the period that services are unavailable.

Alternative arrangements are being looked at for the Civic Centre Contact Centre, Community Hub Central, Community Hub South and the Centre for Independent Living in order for them to deliver essential services to the public safely.

Events and meetings:

Following the updated Government guidance that everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places, we have taken the decision to cancel all Council events up to the end of June. This includes the weekly outdoor market held on a Thursday.

We have also taken the decision to postpone all Council meetings pending national guidance.

Gill Alexander, Chief Executive of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “I fully understand many people across Hartlepool will be feeling worried about Coronavirus.

“I want to take this opportunity to reassure everyone that Hartlepool Borough Council and our partners are doing everything we can to support residents across the Borough to be safe.

“We are working with our partners on the Hartlepool Health and Wellbeing Board to limit the spread of the virus and continue to monitor developments and follow national and regional advice.

“At present, most council services are continuing to run as normal. However, it is inevitable we will have to focus our resources where they are needed most.

“We are currently considering ways the Council can direct and coordinate resources to provide community based support to vulnerable adults, particularly those who are having to self-isolate.

“In addition, we are awaiting guidance and funding from Government in relation to deploying hardship funds to businesses and residents who may be effected adversely.”