Time for Eagle to rise from ashes...

REGENRATION WORK TO START NEXT MONTH

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

WORKS to demolish the Golden Eagle in Thornaby are hoped to start by end of June.

Council leaders were asked about the demolition of the eye-sore former hotel, to be cleared for redevelopment, as well as plans for a new swimming pool, expanded gym and leisure centre at the Pavilion Shopping Centre.

The work was approved last year as part of a £43m regeneration package - £23.9m from the government's Towns Fund and £19.5m from other funding sources including Stockton Council and LCP Proudreed, which effectively owns the town centre on a 150-year lease which also includes a new skills facility, cycle routes, CCTV, alley gates, property repairs and other improvements.

Developing long-term vacant properties in Thornaby town centre was one of the priorities identified by the Town Deal Board, which is made up of local stakeholders from public and private sector bodies including Thornaby councillors and MPs.