The Lookout - A New Culture and Leisure Attraction

PUPILS from five Redcar primary schools played a key role in inspiring the name of a new family attraction currently under construction on Redcar High Street.

The new building in Redcar town centre will be called The Lookout and the attraction, which is still being constructed, will host events and will have a modern library with digital technology and learning spaces.

It’s part of the Redcar Town Deal project to revitalise the town and over recent months Town Deal Board Member Jenny Archer and Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) worked with pupils from:

• St. Benedict's Catholic Primary School
• Newcomen Primary School
• Lakes Primary School
• John E. Batty Primary School
• Zetland Primary School

Pupils gathered at the construction site on Monday, 24 November to help announce the name.

The name ‘The Lookout’ was inspired by pupils’ ideas and pays homage to Redcar’s historic Old Lookout on South Terrace, a former fisherman’s vantage point dating back to 1854.

The Lookout will support the transformation of the Esplanade and High Street, offering a family-friendly hub under one roof. It will feature things to do for all the family to boost Redcar’s visitor economy, a modern library, digital technology, learning spaces, and a programme of events. Visitors will enjoy entertainment areas, food and drink, and a welcoming space for all year round.

The building will include an internal street linking the Esplanade to a new Public Square, designed for small events, pop-up stalls, workshops and outdoor performances.

The project is part of the Redcar Town Deal, developed after public consultation. The board includes industry experts, business leaders, the local MP and council

Catherine Clennett, Chair of the Redcar Town Deal Board, said: "This new family-friendly venue will help transform our high street, attracting more residents and visitors to the town centre. It’s a key part of our Town Deal plans to transform Redcar, and we’re thrilled to see it coming to life."

Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: "We’d like to thank the local pupils who helped name this attraction. They can take pride in knowing they’ve made a lasting mark on their high street. This venue will offer something for everyone, rain or shine, drawing more people to our high street, local businesses, and seafront. We’re delighted to see this progress.

Improvements to Redcar town centre continue, with steel framing now being erected at what will be a new family attraction.

The attraction will boast a modern library and learning spaces and will host a programme of family events.

The building will include an internal street linking the Esplanade to a new public square, designed for small events, pop-up stalls, workshops and outdoor performances.

The attraction is part of the Redcar Town Deal programme to revitalise the town and we're really excited to reach this milestone in the redevelopment and regeneration process!

Check out the latest drone footage of the works on the Anchor Attraction site (and the progress on Redcar High Street too)...

https://youtu.be/vq2Uxu7zrrw

Construction of the new public square is underway - with the site cleared, levelled and the base course taking shape! To see the latest images of what the new public square will look like, please visit New Public Square - Latest Images | Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction | YourVoiceMatters

Thursday 11th September 2pm - 6.30pm

Rediscover Redcar, 12 West Terrace, Redcar TS10 1DS

An opportunity for members of the public to look at the latest plans and talk to Council officers and the High Street contractor about the Redcar Town Deal projects including:

• the High Street refurbishment and the timetable for completion of sections of work;
• progress towards construction of the new Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction;
• the future opportunities for small and large events on the High Street and the new Public Square;
• the future locations of the market as works progress.

The new Culture & Leisure Anchor Attraction will include an internal street linking the Esplanade to the new Public Square, itself open to the High Street. The Public Square will be able to support small-scale events, including pop-up stalls, workshops and small outdoor performances.

Here is a preview of the latest images of the new Public Square! Other images can be found in the Photos section...

Over the past few months Town Deal Board Member, Jenny Archer and Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency (RCVDA) have engaged with pupils from five Redcar Primary Schools:

• Newcomen Primary School
• St. Benedict's Catholic Primary School
• Lakes Primary School
• John E. Batty Primary School
• Zetland Primary School

Pupils were given the activity of suggesting names for the brand-new Culture & Leisure Anchor Attraction currently under construction i Redcar Town Centre.

We have created a 'Whatshallwecallit?' banner featuring all the entries, which can now be seen on the Esplanade opposite the works site.

The choice of name will be inspired by the entries and unveiled later this year!

Robertson Construction have undergone several weeks of enabling works and will look to progress on the new build stage in early Autumn, starting with Piling in September. Then continuing to groundworks and erection of the steel frame towards the end of 2025.

Construction traffic will access the site from The Esplanade throughout the early and mid-stages of the project. Robertson have amended their hoarding to allow for a smooth vehicle transition for accessing and egressing the site to minimise disruption to normal traffic flow.

Construction works to build an exciting new family culture and entertainment venue and library in Redcar are set to restart Tuesday 6 May.

The new indoor attraction will enhance the esplanade and high street and will provide an additional outdoor space for people to meet, relax and have fun at local events.

The High Street and sea front location will attract more people into the High Street, supporting local businesses, and it will also create local jobs.

After the demolition of the former M&S and Goodwins buildings, works were paused as further surveys and design work were needed to inform party wall and legal agreements with adjoining property owners.

The surveys could only take place in full after demolition as there were large areas of the structure that were either inaccessible or not visible until demolition was complete. The surveys identified that a significant amount of additional work was required to bring the walls up to standard.

Engagement with neighbouring property owners has been ongoing since the beginning of the project and now works can recommence.

It is expected that work will be completed by late 2026.

Chair of the Redcar Town Deal Catherine Clennett said:

“We are very excited to see works recommence and are looking forward to seeing the site take shape. The aim is to provide an indoor family entertainment venue and an outdoor event space leading people from the beachfront and esplanade through to the high street to help regeneration of the town centre. This represents a great investment in the town to enhance both resident and visitor experience.”

Neil Kennedy, Regional Managing Director for Robertson Construction North East said:

“As main contractor, we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, with Robertson leading the delivery of this landmark project. This vibrant development represents a significant regeneration opportunity for boosting the local economy, creating jobs and providing a welcoming space for the community.”

Works are anticipated to start towards the end of spring for the exciting new family culture and entertainment venue and library in Redcar. Once complete, the venue will give families and friends more things to do, no matter the weather, and will bring more visitors to the high street which will support existing local businesses.

Following the demolition on the site of the former Marks and Spencer and Goodwins buildings, the walls of the neighbouring properties have been surveyed to inform party wall and legal agreements with adjoining property owners.

These surveys could only take place in full after demolition as there were large areas of the structure that were either inaccessible or not visible until demolition was complete. The surveys identified that a significant amount of additional work was required to bring the walls up to standard.

Engagement with neighbouring property owners has been ongoing since the beginning of the project, and most of the neighbouring property owners have now consented to the party wall notices. We are currently finalising agreements with the remaining owners, which we hope to complete over the next few weeks before works can commence.

Construction will begin following the necessary works to the walls.