Businesses urged to help shape Hartlepool tourism plan

Published Tuesday, 7th March 2023

Businesses in Hartlepool – particularly those in tourism and leisure - are being invited to take part in an important survey to help shape the future development of tourism in the borough.

Hartlepool Borough Council is looking to develop the blueprint, known as a Destination Management Plan.

Against the background of a number of exciting regeneration projects in the pipeline, the plan will provide a high-level analysis of Hartlepool’s visitor economy and set out a vision for the future growth of tourism.

Among the regeneration projects are:

  • A successful bid for £16.5m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to create a production village in the Lynn Street/Whitby Street area to act as a catalyst for the future development of Hartlepool’s fledgling screen industry sector and build on the high-quality facilities at the Northern Film and TV Studios in Lynn Street and at The BIS.
  • £25m Hartlepool Town Deal funding secured for multiple town centre regeneration projects which will see the former Wesley Chapel brought back into use as a hotel, the re-imagining of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, connectivity improvements between The Waterfront, the town centre and Seaton Carew, and the creation of health and social care and civil engineering skills academies.
  • The Waterfront regeneration programme, including the creation of the Highlight leisure centre, the expansion of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool and improvements to the public realm.

The Council is inviting businesses - especially those in the tourism and leisure sector - to share their thoughts to help shape the plan by taking part in the survey at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/tourism-plan-survey. It only takes about five minutes to complete – the closing date is Friday 7th April.

Councillor Mike Young, Chair of the Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “There’s a tremendously exciting future ahead for Hartlepool thanks to these major regeneration schemes which will make it an even more attractive place to live, work and, not least, to visit.

“Hand-in-hand with that we need to have a robust and inspiring plan which ensures that we explore and maximise all opportunities and local people benefit from the jobs which tourists create.

“Hartlepool businesses of all sizes, particularly those in tourism and leisure, have a vital role to play in helping shape our Destination Management Plan and I would encourage them to please take part in the survey and give us their views.”