An alternative plan for a new shopping centre featured in Hartlepool Mail in 1961. The Max Lock plan showed that a new shopping centre should be built roughly where it infact was built at Middleton Grange and that swathes of good housing should be demolished in the process. For many years there were complaints from the public and shopkeepers in the Lynn Street area and many wished that Lynn Street should be kept as the main shopping area rather than the Max Lock idea which of course was taken up.

We all know that this battle was lost but this plan of Lynn Street shows what could have happened. The pub on the far right was to be the Musgrave Arms at the junction of Musgrave and Lynn Streets had the plan been used.

Taken after a refurbishment of the centre in 1994. A McDonald's restaurant seating area now occupies part of the floor space on the right.

HHT&N 885

Shopping Centre square long before it was covered over. Presume spring sunshine looking at the trees.

Entrance from Victoria Road showing manicured flower beds in Victory Square. Woolworths to left and Park Rd Presbyterian, which was demolished by 1985, can be seen in the background.

Ouston Street, Hartlepool with none of the existing street, at this point, left. Middleton Grange Shopping Centre dominates the picture.

Ouston Street with Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. St Johns Park Road Presbyterian Church, is still there at the time.

Princess Anne visiting Hartlepool to open Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. She is being escorted away from the shopping centre towards the College of Art in Church Square. Accompanying her is Mrs. Tuson the Mayoress, together with various officials and bodyguards. Councillor Ted Leadbitter can be seen walking behind, in between the Princess and the Mayoress. Binns Department Store is in the background with Wesley Church and the Grand Hotel to the right. 

HHT+N 28

Princess Anne's visit to open the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, May 27th 1970. She can be seen walking down the bottom end of the shopping centre, possibly on her way to the College of Art. The Princess is accompanied by the Mayoress Mrs. Tuson and other dignitaries and bodyguards.  Pools Surplus Stores is visible on the right.

HHT+N 1

Princess Anne's visit to open the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, May 27th 1970. Princess Anne is on her way to the College of Art in Church Square accompanied, to her left, by the Mayoress Mrs. Tuson and Councillor Frank Rogers. The Municipal Buildings can be seen in the background and several people have befriended Ralph Ward Jackson, the statue, in the centre background, in order to get a better view.

HHT+N 33

Princess Anne's visit to open the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, 27th May 1970. Princess Anne, accompanied by the Mayoress Mrs. Tuson and various other officials, is walking down the spiral walkway in the middle of the main square of the shopping centre. Woolworth and Stylo shops can be seen in the background.

HHT+N 27

Princess Anne's visit to open the Middleton Grange shopping Centre, 27th May 1970. Princess Anne is unveiling the plaque situated in the main central square of the shopping centre beside her is the Mayoress Mrs. Tuson.  

HHT+N 18

Princess Anne visiting Hartlepool to open Middleton Grange Shopping Centre,27th May1970.The Mayoress,Mrs.Tuson is addressing the Princess and crowd following the unveiling of a plaque in the main central square of the Shopping Centre.Various shops are visible in the background, Freeman Hardy Willis,John Collier (the window to watch), Timpsons and the end of the sign for Stylo shoe shop on the left.

HHT+N 19

The opening of the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre by Princess Anne on May 27th 1970.The reception held in the Grand Hotel showing Princess Anne and The Mayoress Mr. Tuson deep in conversation, enjoying their meal with other officials and guests.

HHT+N 20

Taken in December 1976 with Christmas lights adorning the Shopping Centre ramp.

At first glance, things look little changed, but the Central Library now stands on the left of the ramp and the Yorkshire Bank on the right.

Shopping Centre from Park Road entrance in Ouston St (see Ouston Street). The shops visible: Granthams furniture on the right and Burtons, M and S and Stylo were original occupants from 1971

Taken before York Road library was built as area to right of ramp was still a car park. Market hall in background. Probably 1980s?

The spiral ramp in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. Later replaced by escalators and a lift.

HHT+N 753

A Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk XVI E outside the Marks & Spencer store at Middleton Grange. This plane first flew in 1944, and was later used in the 1967 film 'Battle of Britain'. It is now on display in the Polish Aviation Museum, Krakow.

A Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk XVI E outside the Marks & Spencer store at Middleton Grange. This plane first flew in 1944, and was later used in the 1967 film 'Battle of Britain'. It is now on display in the Polish Aviation Museum, Krakow.

Swainson Street, Hartlepool which has now gone and replaced by Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. Binns replaced by Wilkinsons.

Swainson Street, Hartlepool which has now been replaced by Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. Binns still trading at this point. Note the difference in the name of the shopping area, at this point it was just 'Hartlepool Shopping Centre' not Middleton Grange.

The Clansman, Stockton Street, Hartlepool, was a Public House built as part of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. It was very popular at one time and is currently called Jax and sells real ale.

The Clansman, Stockton Street, Hartlepool, was a Public House built as part of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. It was very popular at one time and, after closing and re-opening several times, is currently called Jax and sells real ale.

The building dates from late Victorian times when it was a private residence Springfield House. In 1946 it was bought by Cameron's Brewery firstly as a sports club and then as an accounts department for the brewery. In December 1959 it was opened as a pub which despite two name changes, it remains today.

On this 1967 image, the  section of Thornton Street to the east of York Road has almost gone and the area left is virtually that on which Middleton Grange Shopping Centre was built. As the photo shows, the houses were not slums but quite substantial homes.

Stockton Street had at this point to be demolished and can be seen running along in the distance. The shopping centre was built so that the back of Binns was incorporated into it.