Apartment Plans for Derelict Former Hartlepool Restaurant, but there's a twist...

The former Wok Inn, Hartlepool..

A long-derelict Hartlepool building on a generous plot of land could be yours for an attractive price, however eagle eyed readers & savvy developers may have noticed a major problem !

28th August 2025

A former public house has been placed on the open market with a seemingly 'attractive' asking price of £290,000, however budding developers & investors may have spotted one fatal flaw with the property itself...... It has no planning permission for future redevelopment

The former Wok Inn, once trading as the Touchdown Public House on West View Road Hartlepool has stood empty for nearly a decade & has suffered repeated arson attacks and vandalism, leaving it in a dangerous and decayed state.

Despite its current condition, the site is being marketed by Collier Estates as a potential redevelopment opportunity. It is claimed proposals could be brought to demolish the existing structure and replace it with apartments, subject to planning approval by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Its claimed council officials are 'keen' to see the site brought back into use, particularly after recently approving a demolition notice for a former nursing home just a short walk away. For many residents, the Touchdown/Wok Inn site has been considered an eyesore for years – a blot on the local landscape in need of significant regeneration.

According to the marketing details, the plot benefits from two main access points, one to the north and another to the south, giving it flexibility for future use. While the original Wok Inn building remains standing, it is officially deemed to be derelict.

However, the big question is whether any developers will take the plunge. Whilst the guide price appears attractive, the lack of pre-existing planning permission may prove to be a stumbling block, with some developers describing securing planning approval in Hartlepool as being “a roll of the dice,” raising doubts over whether the site’s potential will outweigh the risks.

For now, the fate of the former Wok Inn remains uncertain, however, for the local community it will be interesting to see if this notorious landmark finally gets a new lease of life, or is left for another decade to rot !