In 2013, more than 50 new shops and businesses opened, relocated or expanded in Stockton town centre
The latest plan for the town centre
By Mike Brown
Independent traders are flocking to Stockton town centre as £38m regeneration work continues .
In 2013, more than 50 new shops and businesses opened, relocated or expanded in the town centre - while the regeneration programme has also seen new paving, road improvements, bus shelters and street lighting and a host of other building work on the High Street.
And 2014 is set to be a year shoppers can enjoy visiting a range of businesses selling goods ranging from gourmet food to specialist clothing or handmade wooden toys.
In the Castlegate Centre’s Spencer Market Hall, Earls of Ashwood Ltd are an independent cheesemonger and delicatessen retail outlet owned by Geoff and Carole Earl.
Carole Earl said: “We came to trade in Stockton for two purposes. One was to bring local residents the opportunity to purchase fine foods. Having lived, studied and worked in Stockton in the past, we are also keen to advocate the town’s renaissance and fully support the plans for the growth of the independent trader and the rebirth of Stockton’s famous High Street.”
Independent traders in Stockton
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Specialist fishmongers Catch of the Day, also in the Spencer Market Hall, Ray’s Deli, Andrea’s Pantry, and butchers including Fawcett’s, Harry Meynell and Kitson’s all add to the food businesses on offer.
Stockton is also home to speciality toy shops selling hand-crafted toys and gifts – Toy Sorts, and Jack and Jill’s Toys.
Shirley Wardle of Jack and Jill’s, said: “We’re very excited about how great Stockton High Street is going to look when the last phase of the regeneration work is finished and we’re delighted that more people are returning to shop in Stockton. Hopefully, following all of the positive comments we’ve had from our customers, we’ll continue to pleasantly surprise on the High Street.”
New clothing boutiques in Stockton include A Stitch in No Time on Ramsgate, The Dress Boudoir on Finkle Street, Liberty Fashion in the Castlegate Centre, Look Good Feel Good in Regency Mall and Andrea’s Boutique on Dovecot Street.
Made by Marianne specialises in hand crafted bespoke jewellery made from genuine pearls and gemstones. Business owner Marianne Robson traded successfully in Stockton Council’s Enterprise Arcade before moving into her own unit at 24 High Street.
She said: “New independent businesses keep popping up in town, all with individual goods and services you won’t find elsewhere. There are a lot of hidden gems in Stockton - not just in my corner.”
Chair of Stockton Town Team, Joanna Wake, said: “Lots of people are indeed ‘rediscovering Stockton’ and with Stockton changing at such a pace, we would urge others to come and take a look. Spend a day wandering around, delve into the side streets, shop independently and really enjoy a unique experience, with goods and fresh produce to match.”
Meanwhile, the next phase of physical regeneration works are getting under way in the High Street which will see the central area north of the Town Hall, and the remainder of the northern area of the town centre, improved with new paving, seating, lighting and landscaping and will create a dedicated space for specialist markets and events.
In September, work began on the northern end of the high street, from Lindsay House to The Globe, and will see paving and street lights replaced, pedestrian crossings upgraded and road resurfacements.
The work will also create a new taxi rank, car park and a dedicated events and specialist market place. The site of the new Stockton “Automaton” - a piece of public art based on Stephenson’s Locomotion engine - will also be allocated ready for it to be put into place.
During the works, access to shops will be maintained and noise and disruption will “be kept to a minimum, where possible”, say Stockton Council.
Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: “In the last year we really have seen the town centre start to transform. Not only is the physical redevelopment continuing at pace, but independent businesses are showing their confidence in the new town centre by choosing to set up shop here.
“Stockton is very much open for business and has so much to offer. We’d like to ask people to be patient with any disruption the works may cause and encourage shoppers and visitors to rediscover Stockton because the town is offering something quite different. The multitude of independent shops means you can buy items here that you can’t get at other town centres.”
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