Business Shortlisted to Take Over Upcoming Leisure Centre Cafe

The Highlight Leisure Centre is currently under Construction on the Hartlepool Marina & is expected to be completed in 2026

Proposed tenant has presented proposals 'considered to be highly suitable', council report states....

6th Feb 2025

Hartlepool Borough Council's announced they've now shortlisted a business they deem is suitable to operate the café within the upcoming multi-million-pound 'Highlight' leisure centre development.

Whilst the identity of the business at the time of publication remains undisclosed, official council reports reveal details about the project. The Highlight Café Lease falls within the Council’s Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub, which is currently under construction at The Waterfront site. The project is expected to be completed by late 2025, with a full opening anticipated in February 2026.

The leisure hub will reportedly feature state-of-the-art facilities, including swimming pools, a fitness suite, studios, a health suite, and a soft/active play area. The café, which will seat approximately 110 people with an additional external terrace seating area, was put on the market by the local council for lease in autumn 2024. Following what the council claims was 'strong interest' from established hospitality businesses, Hartlepool Borough Council has reportedly decided to grant a lease to an undisclosed operator.

According to council reports, the chosen tenant is said to have presented a highly suitable proposal for the location and has strong environmental, social, and governance credentials. The council believes that leasing the café to a reputable hospitality business will ensure a high-quality food and beverage offering, enhancing the overall customer experience. Additionally, rental income from the café will contribute financially to the operation of the Highlight Hub.

Will the Business Be Profitable?

The areas already said to be 'saturated' with food & drink establishments raising questions over whether the new development would even be profitable amidst the level of competition from other businesses.

Despite the council’s optimism, many have questioned whether this venture will be financially viable for the new operator to take on once the leisure centre opens next year. Critics argue that the food and beverage market in the area is already 'saturated' with other businesses, with numerous well-established competitors such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, Subway, and a nearby retail park all offering a wide variety of dining options. This has raised concerns about whether the café will be able to generate enough revenue to sustain itself in such a competitive landscape.

A Troubled Development

Construction of the Highlight Leisure Centre reportedly went over budget even before its foundations were laid last year

Highlight, Hartlepool's upcoming new leisure centre, was originally poised to cost local tax payers around £25.0 million pounds & is being built at Hartlepool Marina on the site formerly occupied by Jacksons Landing.

The project, intended to replace the ageing Mill House Leisure Centre, faced significant financial hurdles, with reports detailing the development quickly exceeded its initial budget, costing locals a further ten million pounds, forcing Hartlepool Borough Council to secure millions in additional borrowing to keep construction afloat. Without this intervention, the project risked collapse, potentially wasting millions of pounds in public funds.

As things stand, the new leisure centre is expected to open its doors in 2026. However, with financial concerns still looming and doubts over the viability of the café, many residents remain sceptical about whether the project will truly deliver on its promises.