Historic England has awarded £909,500 to restore two vacant Church Street buildings, safeguarding their future and supporting Hartlepool's regeneration and Screen Industries Production Village.
Just under £1 million has been secured from Historic England's Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to restore and safeguard two historic buildings in the heart of Hartlepool town centre.
Hartlepool is one of only two locations in the North East to secure funding through the latest round of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, which supports the protection and restoration of nationally important historic buildings.
The buildings at 8 and 9 Church Street, which have stood vacant for a number of years, will undergo significant structural repairs to secure their future and pave the way for them to be brought back into use. The project will include urgent structural works, replacement of the gable wall, installation of support piles and ground beams, and roof replacement works to prevent further deterioration.
The properties form part of the Church Street Conservation Area, one of the town's most historically significant locations. Once restored, they will play an important role in the wider expansion of the Northern Film Studios and Production Village project, helping to bring vacant buildings back into use while preserving Hartlepool's heritage.
Councillor Rob Darby, Chair of the Council’s Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: "This is fantastic news for Hartlepool and a significant vote of confidence in our vision for Church Street and the wider town centre.
"Securing £909,500 from Historic England will enable us to carry out essential repairs to safeguard two important heritage buildings, bringing them a step closer to being brought back into use and securing their future for generations to come.
"This award builds on the significant investment already being made through the Screen Industries Production Village project and demonstrates how our long-term commitment to Church Street is helping to attract further funding, investment and confidence in Hartlepool.
"These buildings are an important part of our heritage, and their restoration will help support jobs, business growth and regeneration, while ensuring the character and history of Church Street remain at the heart of the area's future. We are extremely grateful to Historic England for its support."
The funding award follows significant investment already being made in the area through the development of the Screen Industries Production Village. The successful bid demonstrates growing confidence in Hartlepool's regeneration ambitions and highlights how the Council's long-term vision for the town is helping to attract further external investment to support both heritage restoration and economic growth.
Louise Brennan, Director of Regions, Historic England, said: "Historic buildings are an important part of what gives places across England their character and identity, and they can be powerful assets for the communities around them. By investing in buildings at risk, we have an opportunity not only to protect important heritage, but to unlock their potential, breathe new life into historic places and showcase what makes communities distinctive.
"This funding will support urgent conservation needs while helping projects move towards sustainable futures, whether through continued use, new uses or bringing valued buildings back into active use. We are pleased to support projects across England that demonstrate how investment in heritage can help create stronger, more distinctive and more vibrant places for the future."
Further details on the programme of works and timescales for delivery will be announced in due course.