Esh Construction has been selected to design and build Stockton Waterfront.

MGL Demolition has also been appointed to demolish the Castlegate Shopping Centre and Swallow Hotel to create the new development.

It will include an urban park, riverside plaza and land bridge structure that will connect the High Street to the River Tees.

This follows planning approval last year for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's ambitious plans to transform the town centre, tackle its empty shops and encourage new uses.

The first stage of the £36million, three-year project will begin on Monday 23 May, with enabling works and a strip out taking place before the main demolition works begin in late July.

The demolition will take around 12 months to complete, before construction begins in summer 2023.

Between now and then, the detailed design of the site will be underway. Part of this will involve revisiting some elements of the existing concept design and the public will have the opportunity to have input into this process.


Mark Davison, Joint Chief Executive of MGL Group, said: "We are extremely proud to be appointed to undertake the demolition of the Castlegate Shopping Centre and Swallow Hotel. This is an important project which will breathe new life into the High Street and open up the town to the river and we are delighted to be playing a role in that.

"MGL Demolition has over 50 years' experience delivering works of this nature and we look forward to continuing our successful working relationship with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Importantly, the local population will benefit in a variety of ways, from community engagement initiatives and local business involvement in the project, as well as being able to enjoy a fantastic new environment in the town."

Esh Construction's civil engineering division will develop the design concept over the coming months in preparation for breaking ground on site. Steven Garrigan, Esh's Divisional Director, said: "This is a significant contract award for Esh as we continue our organic growth across the region. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Stockton Council to help them bring to fruition the future vision for Stockton Waterfront.

"As with all Esh projects, we will deliver a comprehensive package of initiatives to provide positive economic and social benefits for the local community."

Once complete, Stockton Waterfront will be home to new community facilities on the southern end of the site including a new leisure centre, library and customer service centre, helping to form an exciting combination of health, wellbeing and leisure in the heart of the town centre.

The urban park will also offer accessible space for community events and play host to the town's world-class events programme.

The project is being part-funded with a £20million investment from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.