WORK to clear a site for Stockton’s new Hampton by Hilton hotel is progressing as the demolition of a former garage gets under way.
Bulldozers are taking down the former Kwik Fit building on Church Road before construction firms move in later this summer
The Kwik Fit building forms part of the hotel site along with the neighbouring Square car park and former dairy site.
The new Hampton by Hilton hotel will be Hilton’s first in the town, and will be owned by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Nigel Cooke, said: “The hotel will bring a famous global brand to the town, attract £6.7million per year into the local economy, and will be welcomed with open arms by local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, who have expressed overwhelming support for it.
“It’s a key piece in the jigsaw for the regeneration of Stockton town centre where, just a short walk away, we’re getting on with the restoration of the Globe, which will bring the stars back to Stockton for people of all generations to enjoy. These are really exciting projects – having a high quality hotel and first-class live music and comedy venue in the heart of town can only be a good thing.
“These projects will not only complement each other, they will complement our world-class events programme and, combined with our award-winning High Street, ensure the town centre remains an attractive place to invest, as we’ve seen with the number of new bars, restaurants and cafes that have opened in town in the last year or so.
“We’ve always been clear that we are ambitious for the Borough and you only need look at these developments, and ones like the new leisure centre planned for Ingleby Barwick, to see we’re delivering on that ambition.”
The site of the new hotel forms part of the mixed-use Northshore regeneration scheme, incorporating new offices, homes and leisure facilities within walking distance of the newly regenerated Stockton Town Centre.
The 56-acre, £300million scheme is a partnership between Muse Developments, the Homes and Communities Agency and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.