Redcar MP hopes to transform Eston Square

Redcar MP Jacob Young has declared that he is in talks with representatives of a “major retailer” along with local landlords in an attempt to transform Eston Square.

Young did not identify the company, but said he had “impressed upon them the benefits of opening a centerpiece store”.

Work to redevelop the square’s ageing shopping precinct was due to start in the spring of 2022.

Young said he hoped to see more progress in the New Year, adding, “I am fully committed to the regeneration of Eston Square and, as I said earlier this month, I simply cannot accept the council’s withdrawal from its redevelopment plans.

“These are very early days, but the retailer has agreed to further meetings with the local authority leadership and I am encouraged that together we will be able to get the best outcome for the TS6 area.”

The council, which is run by an independent/Liberal Democrat coalition, said it was to “amend the delivery” of the project and subsequently removed the £6.9m allocated towards it from its planned capital programme.

It has been accused of a “political decision” with critics claiming Eston is a “forgotten corner” of the borough, when compared to other areas such as Redcar and east Cleveland, which are receiving multi-million pound investment.

Meanwhile, former Eston councillor Anne Higgins said people living in the area would not be surprised they had been let down again. 

Higgins said the local authority had previously ploughed ahead with a retail development on the nearby Trunk Road, despite advice from its own officers about the impact on the centres of Eston and Normanby.

A council report published at the end of last year said previous attempts to regenerate the centre of Eston by attracting private investment had not succeeded.

“There are several empty retail units and empty residential units, many of which are in a poor condition,” said the report, adding that as well as having a transformative effect on the town itself, initial indications are that “new development could secure around 50 full time equivalent jobs and is likely to see further new investment and growth associated with the increased footfall that a supermarket would bring”.