Castlegate Centre Demolition​ – Stockton-on-Tees

The complete transformation of Stockton’s Castlegate Shopping Centre captured in a powerful one-year drone hyperlapse.

A Tees Explorer Feature by Tees Vision Media​​​​

One year drone hyperlapse showing the full demolition of Castlegate Shopping Centre in Stockton-on-Tees 2022-2023

Castlegate Centre Demolition​​​​ –

Stockton’s Changing Skyline

My very first video was a handheld POV walkaround of Castlegate Shopping Centre just before it closed. When I heard it was being demolished, it became a personal mission to document the entire process. I bought my first drone, taught myself automated flight paths, and flew 58 missions over the site. What started as a side project turned into this one-year drone hyperlapse showing the full transformation.

The Demolition Process​​​​​​​​​​

The demolition began in September 2022 and was completed by the end of 2023. Some of the most striking moments for me were watching the curly-wurly car park come down, the Swallow Hotel collapse to the ground, and the iconic “Heart of Stockton” sign being ripped apart. I sat on the verge many times with a coffee, timelapsing the changes as the old centre gradually disappeared.

A Piece of Stockton History​​​​​​​​​

Castlegate first opened its doors in 1973 and became a busy retail hub throughout the 90s and early 2000s. Like many locals, I have fond memories of the indoor market, getting my ears pierced there as a child, having breakfast in The Galley with my mam and nana, and running over the bridge from college to Harry Meynell butchers.

Why Castlegate Was Demolished​​​​​​​​​

Like many traditional town centres, Stockton faced rising vacancy rates and changing shopping habits. The decision was made to demolish Castlegate and the Swallow Hotel to make way for a new riverside urban park and to reshape the town centre for the future.

Where to Find The Castlegate Site

Former Castlegate Shopping Centre & Stockton Park Redevelopment
  • Address / location: ​​​​​
    Former Castlegate Shopping Centre,
    Stockton Riverside Park
    High Street,
    Stockton-on-Tees,
    TS18 1AX.

  • Current Status:​​​ The Castlegate Shopping Centre has been fully demolished. The complex site has been successfully transformed into Stockton Waterfront, a sprawling, multi-million-pound riverside urban park that serves as a central event space linking the High Street directly to the River Tees.

  • Nearby: ​​​: Stockton High Street, The Stockton Globe Theatre, the River Tees, The Georgian Theatre, and the Millennium Footbridge

Photos of ​ Castlegate Center Demolition

Aerial view inside the derelict Castlegate Shopping Centre during demolition in Stockton
Wide Aerial View of Stockton Town Centre & River Tees
Large scale demolition of Castlegate Centre with heavy machinery in Stockton
Aerial view of Stockton High Street with Castlegate demolition works in progress
Wide aerial shot of the River Tees and Stockton town centre
People on the Millennium Footbridge overlooking Castlegate demolition site
Yellow excavator demolishing the upper floors of Castlegate Shopping Centre
Demolition machinery in front of the old Park & Shop / Castlegate building
Large cleared site after Castlegate demolition with construction beginning
View of Castlegate demolition works from Stockton High Street
Wide view of the cleared Castlegate site during redevelopment
Aerial overview of Stockton town centre and River Tees with new development site

Castlegate Demolition ​​FAQ

Demolition of Castlegate Shopping Centre began in September 2022 and was completed by the end of 2023. The site is now being transformed into Stockton Park.

Like many traditional town centres, Stockton faced high vacancy rates and changing shopping habits. The Council decided to demolish the outdated centre and redevelop the site into a new riverside urban park for the community.

I documented the entire process over roughly one year. I flew a total of 58 automated drone flights to capture the transformation from multiple angles and heights.

The old Castlegate Centre and Swallow Hotel have been cleared. The site is now Stockton Park – a new public riverside park overlooking the river Tees

The Vision Behind Tees Explorer

I’m Jamie Kenley, founder of Tees Vision Media.

My journey began right here, documenting interesting places and cool things to do in Teesside. Today, I use that same passion to provide professional video production, photography & Social Media for businesses across the region.

Tees Explorer is my way of giving back, using my media production skills to highlight hidden gems and prjects like Castlegate Demolition and helping more people discover what’s on our doorstep.

If you’d like to be featured, get in touch!

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