FAQs
Tidying up public spaces with planters, benches, and better lighting
Shopfront improvements in line with heritage standards
Better pedestrian access and movement at Chaloner Street
Why is money being spent on Westgate?
In 2022, the Council had the chance to bid for £15 million of Government funding to help regenerate Guisborough. Our goal is to make the town centre more attractive, accessible, and welcoming, while keeping its historic character.
Government officials visited Guisborough in January 2022 and recommended improvements to help revitalise the area. These included:
We developed plans based on these recommendations and discussions with local councillors. The aim is to improve the visitor experience, support local businesses, and promote Guisborough as a thriving market town. Our bid was approved and submitted to Government, and throughout the process we’ve kept the town’s history and character at the heart of our plans.
This awarded money is for a fixed set of projects – including investing in the town centre – and cannot be spent on other things.
Why not use the money to improve existing buildings?
We are doing that too. As part of the regeneration programme, the Council is offering grants to help businesses improve their shopfronts in line with heritage standards. More information can be found here; Town Centre Commercial Grant Scheme | YourVoiceMatters
Shouldn’t crime be sorted out first?
Improving safety is part of the plan. We are upgrading the town centre CCTV system to provide clearer, high-resolution images. We also work closely with Cleveland Police to tackle anti-social behaviour across the borough.
Has there been a public consultation?
Yes. We’ve engaged with local schools, businesses, and residents through Facebook, online sessions, and drop-in events. We also held accessibility group meetings and formed a regeneration group with councillors, business owners, the town council, and community representatives.
Public exhibitions were held in Guisborough Library and online from March to April 2024. Feedback from these sessions shaped the final designs. Updates were also shared in the August 2024 Di-Rectory magazine, which goes to over 8,500 residents and businesses.
Is the Market moving?
No. The market will stay where it is. We are adding infrastructure like electric power points to improve the current market offer. The Market Cross area will be available for future events or as an overflow space if needed.
Will the cobbles be kept?
Yes. The cobbles on Westgate are an important part of the town’s character. We plan to keep as many as possible. Some may need to be lifted to improve accessibility and widen footpaths, but they will be reused within the scheme. We will use heritage natural stone, not concrete.
Why not do something for young people instead?
We are. A separate project will improve play facilities at King George V Playing Field, including a new skate park and upgraded play equipment. This will encourage outdoor activity and support health and wellbeing for local families.
King George V is due to start in the Spring. More information can be found here; King George V Playing Fields public realm and landscaping improvements | YourVoiceMatters
Will parking be reduced?
No. We plan to maintain the current parking capacity and keep the two-hour free parking.
Why is a new crossing needed?
We want to make it safer and easier for everyone to cross the road, especially disabled people, wheelchair users, and families with prams. We plan to add a signalised crossing near Guisborough Library and western amenities. This will help people getting off buses and improve access across Westgate.
Does the project have planning permission?
Yes. Planning permission was granted by the Local Planning Authority. You can view the full application online at planning.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk using reference number R/2024/0422/F3M.
Who will carry out the works?
Esh Construction has been appointed following a competitive process. They offered good value for money and social benefits for the Redcar and Cleveland area.
When will the works start?
We are working with Esh Construction to finalise designs and agree a phased delivery plan to minimise disruption. We expect work to start in March and will share details with businesses and residents as soon as possible.
Where will the works start?
The phased delivery plan is being developed and will be shared with the community once confirmed.
Is this being paid for by council tax?
No. The project is funded by a Government grant, not by council tax. This funding comes with strict rules on how it can be used, and it cannot be spent on everyday council services.
When will construction be completed?
Completion of all works is estimated for August 2027.
Will all businesses be open as usual?
All businesses will be open as usual for the duration of the works.
Will the market continue?
Yes. We are working closely with the Market to ensure it will continue during the works.
Are you paving over and pedestrianising Chaloner Street?
No. We are not intending to make Chaloner Street a Pedestrian zone.
Why are the disabled bays being cordoned off during works?
As part of the ongoing Guisborough Town Centre improvement scheme, Esh Civils, in conjunction with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, are upgrading existing parking bays / pathways along Westgate / Chaloner Street. To minimise the impact to visitors / stakeholders alike, the works are being undertaken in 14 smaller phases, with Chaloner Street and Westgate working concurrently with each other. The first 2 phases, to the north of Chaloner and SE of Westgate, have been planned to ensure all possible works are undertaken during the most disruptive phase – the closure of Chaloner Street north. While this disruption is highly regrettable, it is sadly necessary for the delivery of the works. Nonetheless, to reduce the impact yet further, existing bays are being kept in operation wherever possible, with 2 out of the 3 bays on the Chaloner / Westgate junction currently still in operation. We will of course monitor this on a daily basis, however there will be a period of time when all 3 bays will be out of operation to allow for new paving to be laid. Should you wish to discuss the matter in more depth, representatives from both the Council and Esh Civils, are available at the Sunnyfield House Drop-in Centre between 9am to 4pm, Tuesday to Thursday.
Are the cobbles being removed on Westgate being preserved?
The cobbles are being removed and stored safely for reuse within the Westgate improvements. The cobbles on Westgate are an important part of the town’s character. We plan to keep as many as possible. Some may need to be lifted to improve accessibility and widen footpaths, but they will be reused within the scheme.
Should the funding not be spent on restoring the town, not modernising it?
Our goal is to make the town centre more attractive, accessible, and welcoming, while keeping its historic character. We are replacing tired concrete materials with natural stone materials found in other historic towns. We are also supporting improvements to shopfronts in line with heritage standards, through business grants. Throughout the process we’ve kept the town’s history and character at the heart of our plans.
Would some of the funding be better used in tidying Chapel Beck?
the beck is also being improved as part of the town's regeneration work. More information on this can be found here; Chapel Beck environmental improvements | YourVoiceMatters
When will the works on Chaloner Street be finished?
The expected completion date for the northern section (Phase 2) of Chaloner Street is expected to be the end of August.
Works within the central section at Chaloner Mews are expected to follow this period. This includes a planned closure of vehicle access down Chaloner Street to the private car park to allow the works to be completed safely. Vehicle access for businesses and residents will still be permitted, but visitors will need to find alternative parking arrangements during this period.
When will the works on Westgate be finished?
Works are progressing to programme on Westgate. However, due to the scale of footpaths being improved, the works will continue up to winter 2027.
What’s happening on corner of Brass Monkey?
Works are currently progressing towards Westgate, with activity concentrated on the north-east corner of the junction, near Brass Monkey.
Has there been any delays on Chaloner Street?
The works on the northern section have taken longer than initially anticipated, however the overall project remains on schedule.
Several unforeseen issues have only become apparent once work began and sections of the road was excavated. These have required design revisions and additional coordination with utility providers. While these issues have inevitably affected progress, work has continued throughout to resolve them as quickly as possible and ensure the scheme is delivered safely and to the required standard.
There doesn’t seem to be as many operatives’ working during the day recently?
Construction projects rarely move in a perfectly linear, visible way. There are periods when activity on site is obvious – crews working, equipment moving etc – and other times when a project may appear quiet from the outside.
It’s important to understand that these quieter periods are a normal and necessary part of the construction process.
Construction sites may appear inactive when projects are transitioning between phases. During these periods crews may be waiting for inspections, scheduled material deliveries, or the arrival of the next subcontractor. While visible activity may slow temporarily, planning and coordination work regularly continues behind the scenes.
Activity has been taking place during night shifts over recent weeks and will continue thought-out the project when required. This approach has been adopted wherever possible to minimise disruption to businesses and customers during normal trading hours. While this helps maintain access during the day, it can understandably create the impression that less progress is being made than is actually the case, as operative on night shift cannot then work during the following day.
Why are works on Westgate progressing when Chaloner Street is not yet complete?
Work on Westgate is progressing in line with the project's phased delivery plan. It has always been intended that works on Westgate and Chaloner Street would run concurrently, with some overlap between phases.
This approach allows construction to begin on the next section of the route while final elements are completed on earlier sections. By overlapping phases in this way, the project team can maintain overall progress, minimise the total duration of the works, and reduce the length of disruption experienced by residents, visitors and businesses along the high street.
Final works on Chaloner Street will continue alongside the next phase of works on Westgate to ensure the scheme is delivered as efficiently as possible.
Why has a compound been set up on Chaloner Street – it looks awful?
There is no compound as such on Chaloner Street, the area is a working site. To support the recent night works activity, materials are being left in place to support the following day's operations. The site team continues to undertake daily housekeeping and tidy-up activities
Who do we speak to about the works?
Any works related questions should firstly be directed to ESH’s Public Liaison Officer – Jacqui Cliff via email: guisboroughtowncentre@esh.uk.com, where we endeavour to reply within a 24 hr time scale,
Alternatively you can call in to see us at the drop-in hub at Sunnyfield House, where members of the team are available from 9am until 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to assist.