'It's a hive of activity' - Council completes Castlegate to Wellington Square transition as shopping centre celebrating growing numbers

Wellington Square in Stockton is celebrating growing numbers following B&M's opening as the final business to relocate from Castlegate Shopping Centre as its demolition continues.

B&M is the last out of 31 businesses who have moved from Castlegate Shopping Centre, filling the historic, vacant Marks and Spencer unit in the town centre.

Tenants who have taken up premises in Wellington Square include Barclays, Iceland and Specsavers as well as local retailers Bluecorn Bakery, Junior Jungle and Harry Meynell butchers.

Wellington Square now has a vacancy rate of less than ten per cent and is celebrating growing numbers, with monthly footfall up 20 per cent in comparison to pre-Covid levels in 2019.

The Council-owned shopping centre has also extended a number of leases with existing tenants who are leading national retailers - showing the increase in confidence in remaining in a town centre location.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Seeing positive progress like this in Wellington Square is proof that we are doing the right thing for our town centres.

"It's become a fantastic, thriving vibrant community and by creating retail space that fits and suits current demand, we are ensuring our town centre can be fit for future generations.

"I am also very proud that independent businesses are thriving in our town centre and that many are taking the opportunity in Wellington Square to expand and grow.

"Ensuring a healthy retail offering is part of our bigger plan to support our town centres and ensure they are changed for the better. It's a very exciting time for Stockton."

Lynn Kinnersley owns Bluecorn Bakery and has seen her business flourish since expanding from a small unit in Castlegate's Spencer Market Hall to a prime location in Wellington Square.

She said: "The business in Stockton has grown and I only wish we'd done it sooner. We had never run a café before and didn't know what challenges we faced. Wellington Square is a hive of activity and we are fully seeing this, both in the café and the takeaway.

"We have recently undertaken a small refit as we like to keep the premises fresh and this shows our commitment to the town."

The demolition of Castlegate Shopping Centre is progressing, with the buildings expected to be cleared within the next month ahead of work beginning on site to prepare the ground for the next stage of the development.

In 2019, the Council purchased both shopping centres in order to take back control of key assets and drive change in the town centre. Under exciting plans, the Castlegate Shopping Centre site will become a bold urban park, with events spaces, play areas, heritage influences, opening up the High Street to the river again.

Matt Boxall, Centre Manager for Knight Frank, who runs Wellington Square on behalf of the Council, said: "As we have transitioned retailers across to Wellington Square, we have seen both footfall and retailer engagement grow. As the scheme increased occupancy, tenants have become more engaged with our ethos, that the local community is our priority, from customer service to support.

"Wellington Square will continue to support new and exciting initiatives in the area."