Latest news with #Richard Eglington
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Decision on Stockton market's future set to be put on hold
A decision on the fate of a market hall could be delayed after pressure from concerned business owners and at Stockton Shambles said having to move could mean "the end of the road" after they were notified that Stockton Council's cabinet was due to vote on proposals to market the hall as a "food and beverage opportunity".Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, raised the issue in the Commons on Tuesday claiming it was an "absolute disgrace".Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration, said he would recommend the decision on Thursday be delayed until "thorough engagement" had taken place. Vickers said the council's proposal was "a shameful betrayal" of hard-working businesses who had kept the high street alive, according to the Local Democracy Reporting service."To be told out of the blue that they are being thrown out of their premises, with barely a day's notice of the meeting, is an absolute disgrace," he said. 'Unclear future' Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, has also written to council leader Lisa Evans, requesting a "pause and review". He said the issue had "rightly" become emotive, with a "significant" toll on business owners."These are businesses who've served our town loyally through tough years," he said."Many of them feel anxious about what comes next and, in several cases, unclear on whether they have any real future in the town centre at all."The proposal was set to be considered with a raft of other plans for the town and the council said it remained committed to the regeneration of the authority added that it would provide "tailored support" to the six affected traders to explore relocation options and help develop their business said: "We appreciate the uncertainty that the businesses will be feeling at the moment but we want to reassure them that there is plenty of time for us to work constructively together and help them develop plans for the future." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Stockton Council 'does not want' Shambles businesses to close
A council chief says he does not want "any businesses to close" if a redevelopment of a 19th Century market hall is Borough councillor Richard Eglington has said tenants of the Stockton Shambles have had "the first of many opportunities" to get clarity and advice from comes after businesses received a letter telling them of plans to "market the Shambles as a food and beverage opportunity and to lease the entire building".They were told no decisions had been made yet, but if approved, they would have to move. Shop owners previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they felt "stuck in limbo" and spoke of their worries about moving the businesses they had built up in the community, with some saying they might have to close altogether if the plans went MPs have responded to the proposals, which will be discussed by council leaders on Thursday. Conservative MP Matt Vickers said "local traders deserve better" and accused the council of "betraying hard-working business owners at The Shambles".Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, said the council "must commit" to finding all Shambles traders an affordable, appropriate and accessible new home in the immediate High Street area. 'No decision made' Sharing the speech he will give at Thursday's cabinet meeting, Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said the Shambles was a "loved and cherished" Grade II listed building and there were no plans to knock it down."When developing the Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint, The Shambles were identified as an opportunity to develop a food and beverage offering. "It was clear from conversations with interested parties that the whole building would be needed for the proposal to work."Eglington said that current tenants would need to move out if the proposal was approved."No decision has been made, and it will not be made until the cabinet vote on the proposals but if approved the council would need vacant possession."He said "letters outlining the proposals and not eviction notices have been sent to the tenants, and a meeting was offered the next day". "To be clear this is the first of many opportunities that the tenants have to speak to the officers and to get advice and clarity."He said that the council would continue to offer meetings and support to all current tenants."We don't want any businesses to close, and we hope that with the support of the business development team that the businesses will grow and develop further."He added the aim of the redevelopment was to increase footfall in Stockton. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
