Landlords regain possession of arson damaged building.

Eskimo Joes Hartlepool

Landlords formally regained possession of the now heavily damaged building in Victoria Road, Hartlepool, however the buildings future remains 'unknown'...

4th Sep 2025

Landlords for an arson stricken building which was significantly damaged earlier this year have regained possession of the property after securing a court order releasing the property back from its former tenants.

The Teesside & Durham Post understands landlords BK Investments NE Ltd secured the order against its tenant "The Open Jar Ltd" which is currently in the process of being liquidated after amassing significant debts.

The release of the property back to its landlord however comes on the back of the property being heavily damaged in a suspected arson attack in April 2025 which led to the former building, known locally as "Eskimo Joes" being substantially damaged in the fire which also spread to a neighbouring business putting them out of being able to trade for months.

Since then, its claimed Hartlepool Borough Council served the landlords with an improvement notice, after the property became a magnet for fly tipping, as well as claims the building had once again become 'insecure'.

Theres currently no information as to whether the landlords having now regained possession of the property intend to sell on the building in its significantly damaged state, or intend to repair the structure which has become the latest blot on Hartlepool's town landscape.