Golden Eagle demolition in Thornaby pushed back again

Work finally got underway on the demolition of the former hotel in Thornaby back in August, ending years of uncertainty about the town centre building’s future. 

The complex demolition - which will see significant levels of asbestos removed from the seven-storey site - was due to be completed next spring. 

However, Stockton Borough Council’s budget report, which will go to Cabinet in February and be discussed next week, has confirmed that the project’s completion date will now be pushed back to Autumn 2026. 

This is not the first time the date has been delayed, with the council initially earmarking June this year for demolition, then August, then spring next year.

The Golden Eagle in Thornaby

The council said that, upon work starting in August, further break-ins were discovered, which caused a water leak, significant water damage, vandalism, and the spread of asbestos. 

This has subsequently contaminated the entire building, furniture and furnishings, with all items being classed as hazardous waste.

Over the years, the hotel has been prone to break-ins and vandalism, with police even issuing a warning back in April over the dangers.

The recent discovery means an additional cost of £600,000 for extra asbestos removal.

Diggers moved in on the site in August (Image: Stuart Boulton/SBC)

The cabinet will be asked to approve funds from other underspent schemes within the £23.9 million Thornaby Town Deal programme being used to complete the full scope of works.

This includes £500,000 from the cycleways workstream and £235,000 from the housing improvements to complete the demolition.

The move has been endorsed by the Town Deal board, which is made up of local stakeholders, councillors, and MPs.

Since August, the council, which took control of the site in October 2024, has secured the building with metal sheeting and added signs to warn those who enter illegally.

The work, which is being carried out by appointed contractor MGL Demolition, will help clear the site for future redevelopment led by town centre owner LCP Proudreed.

Before the work began, the council cabinet approved using £1.34 million of previously allocated funding from the Indigenous Growth fund in July for the demolition.

It came after surveyors found the “worst levels of asbestos they have ever encountered”.

Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP, previously described it as "one of the most complicated demolition jobs of its kind ever performed in the UK".