Project Title: Hartlepool Tourism - Fish Restaurant and associated development

Project Description:
The provision of a variety of mixed use attractions are vital to add impetus to the regeneration of the sub-region by regenerating the tourism economy of Hartlepool.

This project seeks to develop further mixed use attractions which would complement other projects in the Coastal Arc and the proposed Victoria Harbour scheme, significantly increasing the tourism offer of the sub-region.

At this stage the Fish Restaurant is identified as one such key development and this is included in phase 1 of the Victoria Harbour Master Plan. This builds upon previous regenerative activities on the Headland, in particular those improvements carried out under the Single Regeneration Budget. It also forms the core around which short-medium term Coastal Arc and INTERREG investment in the Headland will be built, in order to maximise the impact both of this project and the wider links to the Victoria Harbour redevelopment.

The Fish Restaurant comprises the development of a mixed-use waterfront 'gourmet village', centred around a high-class fish restaurant which will draw visitors from around the north-east. An associated bistro/bar will also be included in the scheme, along with specialist retail units on the ground floor and luxury apartments on the upper floors. It is anticipated that the restaurant will consolidate upon the development of the Marina as an eating-out destination, raising the profile of this visitor offer to a regional and potentially national level, in the same vein as Padstow in Cornwall.

A site at the Kafiga Landings has been chosen for the physical development of the Fish Restaurant. Initial feasibility work, along with detailed site investigations, are complete, and have shown that the project is feasible. Public consultation shows widespread local support for the project, and works on the procurement of the developer and restaurant operator are currently underway. It is envisaged that a chef will be chosen via a TV competition, which will provide a high profile and free publicity to the scheme.

Lead Organisation (underlined) and Key Partners:
Hartlepool Borough Council