Exciting new plans for market
An exciting initiative to breathe life into an under-used market hall has been launched this week.
Hartlepool's Indoor Market in the town's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre will undergo a revitalisation programme with the aim of getting shoppers to return in their droves.
The project is the brainchild of Hartlepool Council's Enterprise Centre in Brougham Terrace, with the support of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, One North East and Make Your Mark.
Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond, who has been behind the project from the early stages, believes it will bring a welcome boost to the town's retail economy.
He said: "It is a fantastic project and one which I believe could become a model for councils across the country.
"We have had a lot of positive comments from the existing stall holders about the plans and hope that we can entice shoppers to go into the indoor market once again with plenty of new retailers."
There are currently more than 20 empty stalls in the market hall and these are to be occupied by new and up-coming businesses.
The hall itself will undergo a redecoration programme courtesy of Hartlepool College of Further Education's painting and decorating students, while new signage and repair work will take place on new and existing stalls.
The indoor market’s re-launch will take place on Saturday, September 5, with a number of incentives designed to entice shoppers as well as an on-going promotional campaign under the Buy Local banner.
Hartlepool Council’s Principal Economic Development Officer Mick Emerson said: "We are working hard with new and existing stall holders as well as a number of partners to make this a huge success.
"We hope the Hartlepool public will appreciate what we are trying to do and make the effort to take a look in the market hall and see the changes that are about to take place."
