Work to bring historic buildings back into use

Historic buildings in the heart of a conservation area are due to be brought back into use as part of a planned film village.

The properties on Church Street in Hartlepool were in need of "significant" structural repairs and had been vacant for many years, Hartlepool Borough Council said.

The authority said it had secured £910,000 funding from Historic England for structures that were at risk of decaying.

It comes after plans were approved for a £33.5m expansion of The Northern Studios in the town, which would see derelict buildings brought back into use as pre- and post-production facilities.

The studios have already been used to produce feature film Jackdaw, the BBC comedy Smoggie Queens and ITV dramas.

The Church Street buildings will have a new roof, gable wall and structural supports to prevent further deterioration, the council said.

The authority's housing, growth and communities committee chairman, Rob Darby, said the investment was a "vote of confidence" in the vision for Hartlepool town centre.

"These buildings are an important part of our heritage and their restoration will help support jobs, business growth and regeneration while ensuring the character and history of Church Street remain at the heart of the area's future."

The Reform-led council said timescales for the project would be announced in due course.

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