Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction

The Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction will enhance the Esplanade and High Street and will provide a space for people to meet, relax and have fun. This new family activity centre and cultural hub is to be located all under one roof.

The project will see the current Goodwins building and the former Marks and Spencer's building demolished and the site redeveloped. New indoor attractions will help Redcar’s visitor economy.

The purpose-built facility will provide a modern, exciting and welcoming space for all, with access to digital technology, information services and learning opportunities. The building will be supported by a regular programme of events, creating an uplifting space that people can benefit from. This will attract people to use the town centre and support local businesses.

The building design has been amended to feature additional windows for visitors to enjoy the coastal views, less cladding and more colour.

An operator will be sought for the family entertainment space and the food and beverage offer.

Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction - High Street side with new Event Space

The project will see the current Goodwins building and the former Marks and Spencer's building demolished and the site redeveloped. New indoor attractions will help Redcar’s visitor economy.

The building design has been amended to feature additional windows for visitors to enjoy the coastal views, less cladding and more colour.

An operator will be sought for the family entertainment space and the food and beverage offer.

Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction - High Street side with new Event Space

New designs for seafront leisure attraction revealed

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New Design- Esplanade Elevation
THE latest designs of a leisure attraction planned for Redcar’s seafront have been revealed.

The attraction will provide a space for people to meet, relax and have fun. It will offer a modern, exciting, and welcoming space for all and will be supported by a regular programme of events, which will attract people to use the town centre and support local businesses.

This is a key project for the Redcar Town Deal and will help make Redcar a year-round destination.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Regulatory Committee approved the plans in February, which also include the creation of a new outdoor events space as well as relocating the library currently based at Redcar and Cleveland House.

But when the Redcar Town Deal board asked members of the public for their views on the original designs of the building, they received feedback from residents who felt that a less industrial image was needed for the seafront attraction.

Following this feedback, the building design has been amended to feature additional windows for visitors to enjoy the coastal views, less cladding and more colour.

Jenny Archer, Member of the Redcar Town Deal board, said:

“Through the consultation exercise for this project, we received some constructive feedback from residents on the design of the building. We’re excited to share some new designs which address the concerns, and we’d like to thank everyone for their responses.

“The project will now go back to the Council’s Regulatory Committee for consideration, and if approved, we will work towards delivering this exciting and transformational project to the area.

“The attraction will help Redcar become a year‐round destination and create a more vibrant and attractive Esplanade, enhancing the town's leisure offer for both locals and tourists. It will also attract additional footfall to the High Street which will help support the fantastic range of independent businesses in the area.”

Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at the Council, said:

“This attraction will grow the local tourism industry, encouraging entertainment, hospitality and events and will become a fantastic place to spend time with family and friends.

“Improving the look of the attraction demonstrates the Council’s commitment to working in partnership with the community, and I’m pleased new plans are to be submitted reflecting the feedback from our residents.”

The Board for the Redcar Town Deal fund is led by a group of industry experts, business leaders, and community representatives, who have volunteered to support the regeneration of Redcar. Alongside Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, they have helped develop large-scale regeneration plans on how to make Redcar a vibrant, sustainable town.
Planning permission approved for Redcar seafront family attraction and town centre improvements

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Planning permission approved for Redcar seafront family attraction and town centre improvements
Redcar's Town Deal has taken another step forward today (Thursday 2 February) as two major projects have been granted planning permission.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Regulatory Committee approved plans for a new family attraction to be built, which will be known as the Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction. This will transform Redcar’s High Street and Esplanade and create a new outdoor events space.
This means the former M&S building and Goodwins will be demolished this spring, and construction of the attraction will begin in the summer.
More indoor cultural and leisure activities/events will be on offer which will help Redcar become a year‐round destination, creating a more vibrant and attractive Esplanade, and enhancing the town's leisure offer for both locals and tourists. New indoor immersive and interactive attractions including bowling and Virtual Reality Games could be provided, subject to the preferred operator.
A new relocated library will also help to create a new community focus, providing a modern, exciting and welcoming space for all, with access to digital technology, information, services and learning. It will include a children's library with a storytelling area and will be flexible for a range of events and activities.
The cultural hub will replace the existing library provision based at Redcar and Cleveland House and place the library at the heart of the town centre, supported by a regular programme of events.
The colour and type of cladding on the exterior of the building will be subject to further engagement at the detailed design stage.
Also approved at the Council’s Regulatory Committee was the public realm improvements to Redcar’s high street. This means residents and tourists will see improvements to the area such as the introduction of new street furniture, more landscaping with plants and trees, improved lighting, and more.
The improvements will help create a vibrant town centre which attracts more visitors and residents, supporting local independent businesses, jobs and attracting further investment
The project will include:
- improving the appearance of the high street by creating an uncluttered environment and developing spaces for events and activities. Queen Street will be pedestrianised to create a gateway to the high street from Station Road, provide lighting features, create locations for seating and public artwork;
- improving the appearance of the southern section of the esplanade by resurfacing and widening pavements, improving road crossings, introduce seating and lighting. Dundas and Bath Street will accommodate some parking re-located from the Esplanade;
- improving Station Road by improving pavements, road crossing and street furniture.
The board for the Redcar Town Deal fund is led by a group of industry experts, business leaders, and community representatives, who have volunteered to support the regeneration of Redcar. Alongside Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, they have helped develop large-scale regeneration plans on how to make Redcar a vibrant, sustainable town.
Darren Winter, Chair of Redcar Town Board, said:
“We are delighted the plans for the Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction have been approved as well as the public realm improvements; these projects will support the wider regeneration of Redcar’s High Street that we know residents, businesses, and visitors want now and in the future.
Cllr Chris Gallacher, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at the council, said:

“We’re really pleased the planning application for these key Redcar Town Deal projects have been approved today. The projects will transform the heart of Redcar town centre with a fresh offering of new and dynamic attractions and entertainment for locals and visitors throughout the year, and in all seasons.

“It will also support our growing number of independent retailers and businesses and enhance people’s experience when visiting the town centre with a much-improved environment.”
Goodwins building in Redcar purchased to deliver Anchor attraction and events space

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REDCAR’S Town Deal has taken a step forward by completing the purchase of the Goodwins building in the town, which took place yesterday (Monday 16 January).
The purchase signifies another milestone for a key project to transform a part of Redcar’s high street and Esplanade into a brand-new family attraction, known as the Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction. Part of the site will also be transformed into a new outdoor events space.
The cost of the building will be met by the Redcar Town Deal fund – a £25million pot of money granted by the Government.
The board for the fund is led by a group of industry experts, business leaders, and community representatives, who have volunteered to support the regeneration of Redcar. Alongside Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, they have helped develop large-scale regeneration plans on how to make Redcar a vibrant, sustainable town.
Subject to planning consent, the Goodwins building will be demolished along with the former M&S building, and the construction of the new attraction will begin in mid-2023. Goodwins will relocate to the former B&M building in the town.
New additional indoor cultural and leisure activities/events will be on offer which will help Redcar become a year‐round destination; creating a more vibrant and attractive Esplanade and enhancing the town's leisure offer for both locals and tourists.

Darren Winter, Chair of Redcar Town Board, said: “We are delighted the purchase of the building has now been completed. The Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction is a focal point of the Redcar Town Deal, designed to support the wider regeneration of Redcar’s High Street that we know residents, businesses, and visitors want now and in the future.

“We are also pleased that Goodwins will remain in the town, which is set to open in the former B&M building.”

Cllr Chris Gallacher, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at the council, said: “This exciting project is another step closer and if planning permission is granted, the development will offer activities for people from a whole range of ages – especially families – all year round. The attraction will also better connect the High Street with the seafront and open up the town.

“Working in partnership with the Redcar Town Deal Board, we have the opportunity to deliver a number of projects to boost the tourism and economic opportunities for Redcar and the wider borough.”