Council leaders accused of 'folly' on High Street

COUNCIL leaders have faced challenges from their opponents accusing them of “fruitless follies” and “losing the plot” over Stockton town centre.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

The former Debenhams building on Stockton High Street

Conservative councillors put questions to the Labour leadership of Stockton Council about Stockton High Street at a full council meeting on Wednesday night. The authority’s regeneration leader insisted they were using taxpayers’ money wisely and investing for the town’s future prosperity.

Conservative group leader Councillor Tony Riordan asked about “productive discussions” and “advanced negotiations” said to be underway late last year for the former Debenhams building. He asked for the council to confirm this was no longer the case, as it had earlier to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, and about the net cost to the taxpayer.

Cllr Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “The former Debenhams building has the potential to become a blight on the High Street. This council worked proactively to ensure this didn’t happen in Stockton as happened in so many other towns.”

He said their purchase of the building’s front section, already owning the back portion, ensured the long-term future of an important asset and went into negotiations with a potential tenant. “But due to global economic conditions, the deal referred to did not conclude.