A MUSIC concert for up to 5,000 people is to be held after permissions were granted by Hartlepool Borough Council's planning and licensing committees.

Hartlepool collective The Jar Family will both curate and produce the event at former shopping centre Jacksons Landing, which has stood empty for ten years, on the town's marina.

Tickets costing £6 have already gone on sale for the event called We Are Family which will be held on Saturday, September 19 and feature acts from across the region, including well-known Sunderland roots and pop outfit Hyde and Beast.

The Tees Music Alliance, which used to run the successful Stockton Calling music festival, are also involved in staging the show which will showcase 15 acts.

Jar Family member Max Bianco says “We wanted to create something that really celebrated the vast musical talent in the North-East and to acknowledge the support the local population has given us and give them something to smile about.”

he Jacksons Landing centre on Hartlepool Marina was bought for £1.5m by Hartlepool council in November, 2013, despite the authority making serious cuts in other areas. A two-year interest-free loan from a Government growth fund was used to buy the property but it has remained derelict. However, the building and surrounding area is expected to be a key part of the major Regeneration Masterplan proposal for the town which is due to go before councillors next month.

A suggestion for the building to be bulldozed for new housing was previously been put forward as part of the Masterplan consultations, but that is believed to be just one of several options.

We Are Family tickets are available online at ticketweb.co.uk/event/184865 or calling (01642) 606525 or (01429) 890000. For more information visit wearefamilyfestival.com