Redcar Town Centre Transformation

🌿🌱 The transformation of Redcar High Street has taken another step forward as new trees and planting are now being installed in the recently delivered planters.

This work forms part of the Redcar Town Deal programme, which is focused on creating a more welcoming and attractive town centre.

A selection of Queen Elizabeth field maple trees has been chosen for the high street. This variety is recognised for its resilience, suitability for urban settings, low maintenance needs and long lifespan, making it an ideal choice for a busy town centre. While the trees may look a little bare at the moment, they will soon come into leaf as the spring season arrives.

Each planter will also include uplighting, creating a striking new feature and enhancing the evening atmosphere along the high street.

Cllr Lynn Pallister MBE, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise, said: “Making the High Street a more beautiful place benefits our local businesses. These will make a fantastic addition to the high street. I cannot wait to see them in bloom with the uplighting.”

This Sunday (22nd February), the final tarmac surface will be added outside Sports Direct. Contractors will be on site throughout the day, and pedestrians will still have access to this part of the High Street until 4pm.

From 4pm to midnight, this part of the High Street will be closed to allow the team to finish. A diversion will be in place via the Esplanade and Lord Street.

Pedestrians will have access as normal the following day.

Thank you for your patience. Carrying this out on a Sunday evening helps keep disruption to a minimum.

New planters have arrived on Redcar High Street, thanks to Redcar Town Deal funding. They are etched with drawings inspired by the work of Samuel Plimsoll, who helped make sailing safer.

Soon they will be filled with field maple trees, a variety called Queen Elizabeth, chosen for their resilience, suitability for urban settings, low maintenance needs and long lifespan. Each planter will also have up lighting, creating a fantastic new feature on the high street.

Cllr Lynn Pallister MBE, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at the council, said: “These planters will make a fantastic addition to the high street, and I cannot wait to see trees in them to give that finishing touch.”

A video showing the latest developments on The Lookout and the High Street. It’s great to see how far things have come...

https://youtu.be/S7Ue4ZMZbVM

• 🌳 Installation of new planters and trees will begin this month
• Additional benches with backs will be installed soon.
• Please remember that the High Street is not fully finished, with some temporary surfaces and minor defects that will be put right over the coming weeks.

WHEN Dan Bentley first stepped onto Redcar High Street in the late 1990s, he was a teenage apprentice with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, learning the ropes as a highways operative. “I was young, so I didn’t take it that seriously,” he laughs, reflecting on those early days. “But it was my first real experience of work.”

Fast forward more than two decades, and Dan is back, this time having played a pivotal role in the transformation of the heart of the town he used to work in.

Dan is the project manager for C.R. Reynolds, the principal contractor commissioned by the Redcar Town Deal board and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, who are working together to bring about change to Redcar thanks to £25 million worth of government investment.

Dan brings not only technical expertise but a personal connection to the place and its people. After his apprenticeship ended, Dan eventually moved to Manchester, where he worked as a paver. “All my family are Mancunian,” he explains. “So, I went over there, and eventually my wife Kirsty joined me, but she always wanted to come back.”

That return to the North East marked a full circle moment for Dan now that he is overseeing the High Street’s transformation.

The scheme, part of the wider Redcar Town Deal projects, began construction in April 2025. Due for completion by the end of March 2026, the High Street will have new paving, new street furniture, landscaping with plants and trees and upgraded lighting.

The project has been carefully phased to minimise disruption, and the Town Deal board and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council have worked closely with local businesses and market traders to ensure the transformation goes smoothly. All shops have remained open and no market days have been lost during the works.

For Dan, it’s more than just a job. “There’s a real sense of pride in being part of something that’s going to shape the future of Redcar.” he says.

And it’s not just about work - Dan and his family are deeply rooted in the area. “I love bringing my kids up in Redcar,” he says. “We swim in the sea, take the dog up on the moors, which is just a 15-minute drive away. The other night I finished work, and me and Kirsty went to the Beacon for some tea, then walked home. I love it here.”

Great progress continues on Redcar High Street! Here’s what’s coming up in the next few weeks:

✅ The relaying of paving in front of Clinton Cards is on track to finish by the end of January, and the topcoat of the tarmac in front of Sports Direct is due to start this month, depending upon the weather.

🌳 Installation of new planters and trees will begin in January.

🗑️Larger bins will also be installed in early February.

✨ A full clean of all paving is scheduled for early March, giving the High Street its finishing touch.

Cllr Lynn Pallister MBE, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at the Council, said: “We want to thank everyone for their patience and support as improvements continue on the High Street, particularly our local businesses. We’re pleased to share that the contractor is currently ahead of schedule.”

These improvements are funded by the Redcar Town Deal.

Please remember that the High Street is not fully finished, with some temporary surfaces and minor defects that will be put right over the coming weeks.

We are aware that the King Edward VII Memorial Clock has stopped, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Repairs have been arranged and will take place in early January 2026.

The King Edward VII Memorial Clock on Redcar High Street looks lovely all lit up.

Thanks to Redcar Town Deal funding, six new LED uplighters have replaced the old, damaged ones that have been out of operation for some time.

Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at the Council said, “The restored lighting not only celebrates our town’s history but gives a lovely focal point when the sun goes down. It looks beautiful.”

Work on the High Street will pause over Christmas from 19th December and the contractor will return to site to complete outstanding works and defect rectification on Monday 5th January 2026. During this period, should there be an emergency related to the works or the High Street in general, please call the Council's main number (01642 774774), the operators will ensure any issues are escalated to the relevant operatives and dealt with.

We’ve received reports of orange markings on some of the armrests of the new benches along Redcar High Street.

Following discussions with the manufacturer, we understand these markings are just on the surface and are likely due to the nearby works.

The armrests were made from a Grade 316 stainless steel, chosen for its durability and suitability for coastal conditions. The marks can be easily wiped off.

We will continue to monitor the issue, and if it persists, the contractor will resolve it at no risk or cost to the Council under the guarantee.