A report going to Middlesbrough Council’s Executive outlines proposals to knock down the Slam club which sits under the A66.
The unit – once the Royal Exchange nightspot – creates a physical barrier between Wilson Street and Exchange Square and has fallen into disrepair having been out of use since 2016.
Exchange Square is currently being refurbished to bring it back to its former glory as part of a £640,000 revamp through Historic England's High Street Heritage Action Zone programme, which includes the cleaning and repair of Henry Bolckow’s statue.
The Slam unit also houses four of the A66 fly-over’s structural columns, one of which is in need of repair.
The structural repair works alone would require at least part demolition of the nightclub and if the building was then reinstated the costs would be estimated at £100,000.
Instead it is being proposed that full demolition is the most appropriate solution for the repairs and the long term attractiveness of the site. It is estimated the demolition would cost around £130,000.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “This is an opportunity to get these essential repairs done and at the same time open up the historic Exchange Square.
“The improvement works are looking great and the Henry Bolckow statue is looking as good as new so it will be great to make the square even more visible than it already is opposite our beautiful and historic railway station.”
A decision on whether to demolish the building will be taken at a meeting of Middlesbrough Council’s Executive on Tuesday, May 10.
