WORK to transform a Grade II-listed building in the centre of Stockton has begun.

The investment in 25 High Street is the final part of Stockton Borough Council’s current round of “Grants for Heritage Buildings”.

Funded by the Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the scheme has seen five buildings already repaired and work is under way on two others.

Among the buildings benefitting are 35-37 High Street which became the town’s Enterprise Arcade, 42 High Street which now offers five high quality flats, 134 High Street was redeveloped for retail use and 17 Dovecot Street is now a florist.

25 High Street is about 250 years old and over the next four months it will undergo a series of repairs which will see many of the building’s historic features enhanced and preserved. Meanwhile offices will be created in the vacant upper stories.

Once complete, the not-for-profit organisation, Asian Business Connections, will use it as a base to deliver training and business support to help to get youngters back into work. To find out more about Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Grants for Heritage Buildings scheme visit www.stockton.gov.uk/grantsforheritagebuildings