THE next stage of a multi-million pound project to revitalise a town centre is about to get underway.

Work on the transformation of Hartlepool’s Church Street will begin at the end of the month.

The area will be pedestrianised and a large oval event space encircled by trees and raised seating will be created in front of Hartlepool Art Gallery.

There will be an area of lawn and trees between the event space and Church Street, a landscaped walkway along Upper Church Street leading into the event space and new road access to the neighbouring Cleveland College of Art and Design.

A new Workers’ Memorial will be created at the front of the art gallery, featuring specially engraved stones.

The announcement follows the start of construction earlier this month to convert the former Post Office building in nearby Whitby Street into a new £3m business centre.

This £3.4m next phase – due to be completed by May 2018 - is funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and by the Council.

The work will start on Monday, October 30 from which time Church Street will be closed to through traffic for the following 30 weeks, with a signposted diversion in place along Tower Street and Huckelhoven Way.

However, vehicle and pedestrian access to the businesses and the railway station will be maintained.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, leader of the council, said: “The Church Square improvements will fill the need for high quality public space in the centre of Hartlepool which can host an exciting range of events.

"This phase as a whole will help create a thriving route running from the town centre and the transport interchange through Church Square and Church Street down to what will be the redeveloped waterfront.”

Cllr Kevin Cranney, chair of the council’s regeneration services committee, said: “These much-needed improvements will enhance and celebrate this historic quarter of Hartlepool, creating an attractive and revitalised environment for people to enjoy and in which businesses can flourish.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our region is benefitting from investment in areas like town centres, transport, housing and skills, delivered through our devolved powers, which can help us unlock a new era of prosperity.”