Does anyone have any information on Stockton's Castle?

The Swallow Hotel now stands on the site of the previous castle and before that stood the Majestic Theatre i think it was called. As the Swallow Hotel has closed down, and that whole block needs to be demolished and developed as soon as possible. Plans propose to build a supermarket there, but i think it would be great if we could either rebuild our castle and use it as a tourist attraction or rebuild a former building that stood there.

Stockton's has lost a lot of Historical buildings on its High Street, it would be great if we could have some quality architecture back onto the highstreet to sproose it up a bit, and make it a bit more up market.

What do you think regarding the castle? + again, does anyone have any images or Information on it?

This is the only picture I can find of Stockton Castle


http://www.picturestockton.co.uk/standardimage.aspx?Image=939t9895.jpg
Stockton council site tells you more info about it
http://www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/leisureandents/artsculture/phm/local_history/castle/

Thanks for that, i'll take a look. I knew i'd seen that picture before. :P

Would be great if we could rebuild that!!!! :P

Thanks for that, i'll take a look. I knew i'd seen that picture before. :P

Would be great if we could rebuild that!!!! :P

Do you reckon the Swallow Hotel is going to coming down?will they redevelop the site or refurbish the building .Its quite a prominent site ripe for redevelopment.Lets hope it doesnt stay empty too long.

I think it'll just stay there for a good few years, with no change at all. I think it will come down eventually, and the wrong development will be made there. Can you imagine the construction site at the end of Stockton High Steet if all that were to come down!?!? It'd change the view of Stockton dramatically, a good piece of quality architecture is what is needed there. Bring Back the old Stockton!

I think it'll just stay there for a good few years, with no change at all. I think it will come down eventually, and the wrong development will be made there. Can you imagine the construction site at the end of Stockton High Steet if all that were to come down!?!? It'd change the view of Stockton dramatically, a good piece of quality architecture is what is needed there. Bring Back the old Stockton!

I agree with you

Theres no chance of it happening though, if anything is built it will be on the cheap. There was some plans realized for redeveloping this site about 2 or 3 years ago, but i can't seem to find them. I think it was part of the Stockton Southern Gateway scheme? It did actually look quite promising.

One of the first things that needed to be done was to remove the old war ship, which as now been done, although, i haven't seen any news on the development for about a year or so now.

Anyone else think the Swallow Hotel is a prime candidate for a reclad and use as apartments?

Given its location in the town centre and the transport links, I don't see why not. I suspect a reclad will be the last thing on any buyers mind, though.

I've been informed that the buildings electricity is still live, the water in the swimming pool hasn't been drained and personal items still remain in the building due to the short time frame that staff and guests were given to leave.

What was the story with that? Did it go into administration or was there some kind of safety problem?

It went into administration. A total of 70 jobs were lost. Here's (http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2009/08/04/staff-and-guests-stunned-as-swallow-hotel-closes-84229-24310899/) the newspaper article on it.

There was this piece in the Gazette the other night about the Swallow Hotel




Stockton MP pleased over progress for former hotel
by Mike Blackburn, Evening Gazette
May 6 2011



THE future of Stockton’s empty Swallow Hotel could be known next month.

Stockton MP Alex Cunningham has been in contact with owners Whitbread for several months asking for updates on the site, which has been vacant for nearly two years.

The MP for Stockton North says he has now been told by Whitbread chief executive Andy Harrison that plans for the occupation of the building will be known by next month.

The hotel, which was one of Teesside’s largest, has stood empty on Stockton High Street since closing in August 2009 with the loss of some 70 jobs.

The landmark, 125-bedroom, three-star hotel had taken bookings for weddings for years in advance and its closure caused massive disruption for couples across the area, as well as for other events.

The loss of the Swallow, which opened in 1972, has also hit the economy of the struggling Stockton High Street.

Labour MP Mr Cunningham, pictured, wrote to Whitbread in January urging it to make clear its intentions for the site.


He said: “I am very pleased that progress seems to be being made and hopeful that the site will have a new occupant in the near future.



Read More http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2011/05/06/stockton-mp-pleased-over-progress-for-former-hotel-84229-28641930/#ixzz1M4DwqtOu

Plans on show for major revamp of Stockton high street
by Iain Laing, The Journal, October 26th 2011

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nebusiness/oct2011/3/5/stockton-town-centre-plans-988404702.jpg

THE latest plans for the dramatic £20m revamp of Stockton High Street have been put on show as more businesses move into the area. Already this year, 45 businesses have set up, expanded or relocated in the town centre and riverside area and now the progress of the plans have been put on public display in Shambles Market Hall.

The proposals include creating high-quality public spaces, with 107 new car parking spaces created on the High Street to improve access for shoppers. The market will have a dedicated location provided. There will also be separate areas for festivals and events, with views opened up towards the riverside and Infinity Bridge.

Supporting this will be investment in heritage buildings, the towns Cultural quarter and development of the evening economy through the refurbishment of the Globe Theatre and the already popular ARC.

Coun Mike Smith, Stockton Councils Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: Although we have much detailed design work still to complete on materials and finishes, these displays will give a very good impression of what we are trying to do.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/commercial-property-north-east/news/2011/10/26/plans-on-show-for-major-revamp-of-stockton-high-street-51140-29661508/

Stockton High Street has a lot of potential but is blighted by empty businesses really.

Please can the council / private enterperneurs make that part of the high street desirable for food drinks entertainments.

Without being too judgemental, Stockton centre looks like all what is wrong with this country... Scruffy abusive chavs who want unhealthy rubbishy food and cheap drinks.

I don't know anyone from Hartburn, Fairfield, Ingelby, Eaglescliffe who venture in anymore, ie: ABC1 i think they are called.

Success in fight to demolish Billingham House, Stockton
by Iain Laing, The Journal, May 16th 2012

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nebusiness/may2012/0/8/billingham-house-fomer-hq-of-chemical-giant-ici-206368199.jpg

THE derelict former headquarters of chemical giant ICI is finally set to be demolished. Stockton Council said the end of Billingham House was imminent after the Court of Appeal dismissed a legal challenge which has delayed its plans to demolish the derelict buildings. The owners of the building, Bizzy B Management, had allowed the building to become an eyesore over several years, yet had challenged the council’s move to clear the building in a series of legal moves.

However, Lord Justice Mummery, Lord Justice Hooper and Lord Justice Pitchford today dismissed two challenges. Bizzy B had appealed earlier court rulings in favour of the council, claiming there should be a judicial review of Stockton Council’s decision to demolish the structure because it had been irrational and was also a breach of their human rights to enjoy their property.

The court dismissed both arguments and awarded the council initial costs with a further figure to be determined. Stockton Council’s contractors had moved in to begin demolition work in September last year after the High Court had previously ruled the council was legally entitled to proceed with demolition. However, after substantial preparatory works had been carried out work was halted after Bizzy B was granted a hearing to reconsider their application for permission to appeal.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/commercial-property-north-east/news/2012/05/16/success-in-fight-to-demolish-billingham-house-51140-30977335/

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http://www.stockton.gov.uk/pressoffice/localnews/year2012/may/rivers

A dramatic lighting scheme alongside the River Tees is the latest addition to Stockton Town Centre as it undergoes its £20 million regeneration.

'Portas pilots' town centres named
Press Association, 26th May 2012


Twelve town centres have been named as the first "Portas pilots", entitling them to funding and expert advice as they seek to regenerate high streets. They will each receive a share of £1.2 million and get tailored support to help them implement rejuvenation plans. The announcement follows retail queen Mary Portas' review of the high street. Some 370 applications for support were made.

The winning bids announced are:

Bedford, Bedfordshire
Croydon, Greater London
Dartford, Kent
Margate, Kent
Bedminster, Bristol
Liskeard, Cornwall
Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
Nelson. Lancashire
Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland
Stockport, Greater Manchester
Stockton on Tees, Teesside
and
Wolverhampton, West Midlands.

Local Government Minister Grant Shapps said there would be a second batch of 12 pilots announced by the end of July.


Read More - http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iU5qB7TJEGqQ2bFCReDsNF3B-UAQ?docId=B1468421338017607A00000