The former teenage Council apprentice transforming Redcar High Street

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.”