New chair sets out regeneration plans

A Hartlepool-born business leader is set to drive town centre regeneration.

Mark Robinson has been appointed chair of Hartlepool Development Corporation, bringing extensive experience in retail and regeneration. 

He founded Ellandi, a developer-investor that revitalised more than 50 UK town centres before its sale in 2024, while Mark has previously chaired the UK’s High Streets Task Force.

Mark said his priority is ensuring local residents benefit from regeneration projects and strengthening creative sector opportunities. 

Speaking at the first public board meeting with Mark as chair at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre yesterday (Tuesday, September 2), he said: “Hartlepool is my hometown and somewhere very close to my heart. 

“It is a place with a proud history and which has huge potential. 

“We are already seeing great things happening in the town but I want us to go further and faster.

“It was great to hold our first meeting at the Town Hall Theatre and to work with my fellow board members as we get on with the job making a real difference for the people of Hartlepool.”

The Development Corporation is overseeing improvements to Hartlepool’s film and TV studios, a £120 million waterfront housing scheme, as well as the redevelopment of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. 

A masterplan for the town centre is in development, with initial changes expected by 2026.

Mark added: “We are now moving on to the delivery of key projects that are bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into Hartlepool.

“But for too long regeneration has been about simply building something new and shiny and not thinking enough about how it benefits local communities.

“I want the Development Corporation to ensure that the benefits these projects are bringing are directly felt by people in Dyke House or Owton Manor.

“That means developing the jobs and skills to make sure our Development Corporation is having a real impact on the ground.”

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