In 1902, the first part of the large department store Gray Peverell was built in Victoria Road taking in the first part  of the block between Swainson Street and Stockton Street where a smart terrace of houses stood. It was gradually extended to take in the whole block. The shop flourished and was bought by the Sunderland businessman H Binns in 1926 as part of his growing empire of department stores in north east towns and in Hull and Grimsby to the south, Edinburgh to the north and Carlisle and Dumfries to the west. Binns had begun his company in 1897 with his shop in Fawcett St Sunderland.

In 1953, although the Binns name remained on the stores, the company was taken over by the House of Fraser. The Middleton Grange Shopping Centre was built around Binns and it formed an integral part of the centre. Sadly however, the much loved and remembered Hartlepool store was closed in June 1992 along with the Sunderland store and a number of others when the House of Fraser decided to concentrate on certain stores only.

Finally, the ground floor of the Grade 2 listed building was opened by Wilkinsons Hardware in 1995.

Middleton Grange Shopping Centre was built in 1969 and officially opened by Princess Anne on 27th May, 1970. Originally open to the elements, it was converted to an Indoor Shopping Centre in 1992.

Swainson Street, Hartlepool. Most of Swainson Street was demolished to make way for Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. The only section left contains The Grand Hotel.

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

Swainson Street, Hartlepool, with Binns Store on the corner. Picture taken from Victoria Road.

The photo was from a photographic record of the Central Area of West Hartlepool prepared in 1955/6 at the request of the Town Planning and Redevelopment Committee 'in the hope that it will be of interest to future generations of West Hartlepool'  

The record focuses on areas which were within the next ten years to be completely redeveloped following The Max Lock Plan. It was compiled by WL Taylor and photographs developed by Thomas Clarkson Chemist of Tower Street.