Stockton on Tees fundamentally redevelops its offer in retail and space
On Thursday Matthew Hopkinson was asked up to Stockton on Tees by BBC News to be interviewed by Emma Simpson on the huge regeneration of Stockton on Tees where the council acquired two shopping centres and some other buildings, demolished one shopping centre and reduced the retail footprint and focussed it around the remaining shopping centre.
The cost has been significant at c.£50 million all in and they have also done other work in their town centre creating a square and water fountain. For me what I saw was great as this is a council taking control of its destiny by creating fundamental change and recognising that shopping is not the anchor or future of their town centre.
They have linked the town to a lovely waterfront (and created a bridge across the river) which now creates the potential to redevelop other surrounding areas and bring more people to live, work and visit Stockton which is well connected and has a large catchment. I spoke to locals in the town before my interview and views were mixed but overall positive. The BIG challenge Stockton and nearly every town and city in the country faces is how we ensure these investments don’t become ‘white elephants’ due to ASB, lack of buy in and ownership from communities, an inability to maintain and enhance what has been created and to ensure they are safe and valued spaces. Stockton has the sames issues as everywhere with drugs, drinking, ASB, fighting and other things which make people feel unsafe but this is not solely a council issue but a societal one that national government needs to address and support local councils in their hyper local efforts.
Employment and access to services is key in this regard and so every town and city must be supported in demonstrating a clear vision and objectives. They must also show how they will be measured and evaluated so we can see what works and what does not. By doing this and sharing this experience and knowledge every town and city will be better placed for success. As such an understanding of data on places and how this data changes over time is key. We have created something to address this as a starting point which will be released soon so WATCH THIS SPACE! Evaluation and monitoring of targets and objectives is critical in any organisation and our towns and cities are no different!
Stockton has recognised they have a problem and have taken robust and broad action to change the purpose of their town thereby demonstrating a long term vision and an investment in the town that is transformational across a wide area and not just a vanity project or window dressing.
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