PLANS to demolish what was once opened to fanfare as a futuristic shopping centre have been approved by a council.

Jacksons Landing shopping mall in Hartlepool’s marina opened in 1994 but was closed in 2004 and was eventually bought by Hartlepool Borough Council in November, 2013 for £1.5m.

Now the authority’s Regeneration Services has agreed to demolish it, in the hope of bringing another, new landmark development.

The council is talking to a national hotel operator, and it believes the re-development of the site could act as catalyst for the wider regeneration of the town. The National Museum of the Royal Navy has established a branch nearby.

Yesterday the Finance and Policy Committee agreed that savings made during the 2015/16 financial year should be used to fund the £40,000 demolition costs.

Leader of the council, Christopher Akers-Belcher, said: “Attracting the National Museum of the Royal Navy is a real coup for the town and the demolition of Jacksons Landing presents us with a tremendous opportunity to build on that.”