Bulldozing Stockton High Street

Decent comment in its section where a Stocktonian asks about is there a need for plush new council offices in the aftermath of Covid and likely reduction in office space
 
I'm all for it. As someone who was born and bred in Norton, a lot of my childhood and early nights out were in Stockton and it was always in need of a new broom. I've been really impressed how Norton has reinvented itself away from the dark and dodgy pubs to a fun night out in recent years and whenever I am back in the north east for things other than family and boro matches we always seem to end up down in the Dragons Yard. I think this plan shows what is possible if banks take a chance on people with ideas like some of the bars in Norton and places like The Georgian in Stockton. They have had to prove that these bigger plans are viable. Hard to believe that in a decade or so from now Stockton could be a bit of a destination for a night out that doesn't involve **** pints, avoiding the punches, and eating a pizza in the taxi queue (though there's nowt wrong with that every now and then).
 
Borobarmy said:
Decent comment in its section where a Stocktonian asks about is there a need for plush new council offices in the aftermath of Covid and likely reduction in office space
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With most large buildings they have a cost to run the existing building and this will be measured out over coming years including updating the building to keep it safe, rewiring, redecorating etc

Quite often when buildings reach a certain age it can make more financial sense to build a new one as the lower costs over a period of years will eventually leads to savings, meets environmental goals as cheaper to heat and power and has scope for expansion or leasing out unused areas.

I think there will always be demand for office space. Maybe less massive offices needed going forewords but will be demand for actual meeting spaces and collaboration areas etc
 
I like it, if done right. The High St has been dead in Stockton for years and years, and I see the same wherever I go around the country. Leisure is the future, cafe culture, entertainment space, and a bit of nature. I like the concept but if done on the cheap it could kill the town.
 
I like it too. It can’t go on, they’ve tried to revitalise the high street and it worked to make it look better but the financial la scale of the high street is out of the councils control. Less space is needed and what is left needs to look nice and be functional

People get on the councils back for knocking down old buildings and then for trying to bring derelict old buildings back into use, so they can’t win. Not just stockton though, thornaby the same with the golden eagle and npower office

Going back to middlesbrough can anyone remember the old swimming baths next to the bus station? It’s where captain cook square is now and captain cool square itself was a massive improvement for the town at the time rather than a derelict old building. People get too attached to the last imo, it’s great if older buildings can be brought back into use but if they can’t they fall into disrepair and are unsightly. Globe is showing how much that costs - cheaper to knock it down and build new but believe it was protected?
 
Would be fantastic if done well. Something needs doing to open up the river to the highstreet
 
They're looking to purchase Billingham Town centre now and redevelop there. Let's hope they have something as adventurous in mind.

That's an interesting point about office space. It would make more sense to establish working from home more common, suits a lot of people and cuts down on needless travel, reducing fuel wastage.
 
What they need to do is move all the low level social housing at the back of the other side of the High Street as it’s that that infects the High St . I know it’s just moving the problem elsewhere , but at least then it would be more desirable to drive to the Globe some night and know there’s a good chance your car is safe .
 
Stockton has done extremely well in attracting events such as the cycling and music festivals so having the riverside opened up and more leisure oriented stuff available would make it an even more attractive venue.
It's already a nice walk down the riverside so making it more accessible and viable as a day out would be a very good move I reckon.
 
Corcaigh_the_Cat said:
They're looking to purchase Billingham Town centre now and redevelop there. Let's hope they have something as adventurous in mind.

That's an interesting point about office space. It would make more sense to establish working from home more common, suits a lot of people and cuts down on needless travel, reducing fuel wastage.
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Whilst true, working from home has its own challenges like data privacy, IT costs and training / supporting people remotely is far harder. Ive been working from home for 4 years and I like it but I also massively miss the social interaction. I’m also lucky enough to have a dedicated office room and no kids, I can’t imagine trying to work from the kitchen table or a bedroom with a desk in. Even if companies provide proper gear not everyone has the space for one or both or even more if kids at school / college / uni age to be all working / studying from home so it asks a lot of people as well. Your heating bill also skyrockets and the paltry tax benefit you can claim does little to offset that.

Our place is planning a hybrid approach where it will be largely from home but there will be collaboration hubs set up for workshops or anything we need people to interact at, but we won’t return to the office in the traditional senses.
 
Borobarmy said:
What they need to do is move all the low level social housing at the back of the other side of the High Street as it’s that that infects the High St . I know it’s just moving the problem elsewhere , but at least then it would be more desirable to drive to the Globe some night and know there’s a good chance your car is safe .
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No, they need to eradicate 'low level' by levelling wealth, not trying to hide the product of our ridiculous society so that we can pretend it doesn't exist.

The private sector has allowed that housing to become what it is. They should be ordered to fix the problem or forfeit their properties.
 
Piccadilly Day Tripper said:
Hard to believe that in a decade or so from now Stockton could be a bit of a destination for a night out that doesn't involve **** pints, avoiding the punches, and eating a pizza in the taxi queue (though there's nowt wrong with that every now and then).
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Did you not visit Prince Regent Street before the pandemic? The place is/was awash with microbreweries, independent bars and live music. Really good night out down there.
 
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