The demolition of Lindsay House (1964 – 2013) began on Sunday 20th October. A not so sad day sees the beginning of the end for Lindsay House, as progress on the High Street Redevelopment continues. Stockton 2013.
Photographs and details courtesy of Jonathan May
Agree with Frank. Glad to see this cardboard contraption of Lindsey House go. In my opinion 1960s/70s architecture has a lot to answer for. I know the beautiful Victoria Building was structurally unsound but what a great loss to Stockton High Street. The soul was taken out of the High Street with all the demolition in the 70s and when I go to places such as Thirsk, Northallerton and Darlington which have kept their old buildings and market town atmosphere I mourn its loss. Thank God this “let’s knock it down mentalty” no longer prevails.
Hello Gill – sorry I’ve just come across your comment and have to agree with every word. If only it was true about ‘thank God this culture about knock down mentality has gone. I’m writing this on 1st January 2022 and unfortunately it still exists (about knocking things down) The Castlegate shopping area is to go soon and replaced by – nothing! Just an ‘urban park’ No shops, no shelter from bad weather. It will also be a wind tunnel as it’s next to the river.
WHATS IS PLANNED FOR THE SITE ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEVELLED? DOES ANYONE KNOW?
They’re turning the space into a car park.
I believe its going to be used for extra car parking at various times and also another “EVENTS” area when required during various festivals. The buildings removal is also supposed to be opening up the views of the river to the high street along with that of the bridge which is too often called “Iconic”. The same bridge which was not the preferred option when the public were allowed to vote on it’s design, a vote which was over-ruled by the council of the time…
Yes Janette it will be levelled and relayed as a car park for short time parking. It will also open up part of the riverside vista although in my view only a small part of it. You will be of course looking across the Bishop Street car park towards the foot bridge although the Sun Inn will now be on the High Street.
Well surely Frank this will make the Stockton High Street even wider after the removal of this building, it is already the widest in the country measured at the Royal Oak area.
I went through Stockton,for the first time since they knocked down this building,today. What an improvement! I`m not sure about the idea of providing a better view of the river, as it is mainly dominated by office buildings on the Thornaby side, but removing this unimaginative modern building seems to have restored a more period feel to the High Street. Now we can view one of the jewels of Stockton, the Sun Inn, with its cobbled street. I know as a tourist to other places in England that historic local pubs enforce the uniqueness of visiting a town. Hopefully,despite the decline in public houses throughout the town, this will lead to another century of the existence of the Sun Inn. Who knows, if we preserve what history we have left one day perhaps Stockton could follow other historic towns as a place tourists come to year after year.
And not before time. The wonderful Victoria house was knocked down in 1964 and that monstrosity erected, why? It would have cost far less to renovate the Victoria buildings to the modern needs keeping the façade. No at that time money became available from a Government who thought in terms of removing anything old and I must say rather dirty in appearance for the modern white cliffs of concrete lasting less than 50 years, at least the Victorian buildings nearly made the 70 mark.
I also remember the scandal at that time which ended in prison for some although not all of the culprits, at least the modern Council are open and accountable.
Effort is being made to make the Town Centre a place to visit even though the large shops are disappearing at a rapid rate. Possibly a cut in business rates by this Government could attract people back plus of course some free parking to compete with the out of town shops, let us have a level playing field for the Stall holders who are left and the few good shops still hanging in there.
Meanwhile I applaud the efforts being made to bring entertainment to the centre and the riverside, we need to make more use of the jewel in our crown which in my lifetime went from a dead smelly tidal sewer to a lovely fresh water lake.