A local bed and breakfast owner in Redcar will soon be welcoming guests in his newest venture – a rental holiday home in the popular seaside town.
Steve Ellis has run the Abbey Guest House in Redcar’s Queen Street for three years. The four-bedroom B&B holds 4-star accredited status by Visit England and an ‘excellent’ rating on Trip Advisor.
£17,000
Wanting to expand his business to include a rental holiday home, Steve, a Redcar | Cleveland Ambassador, accessed £17,000 in funding from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s ‘Welcome to’ scheme which provides funding to increase the number of tourist bed spaces.
The Beaches, also on Queen Street, is shortly due to open after Steve used the funds, as well as his own money, to carry out a complete renovation of the property. Once open, the Beaches will be available to rent by families and groups of friends.
Confident in the future of Redcar
Steve said: “We’ve used the funds for a new roof, to convert the rooms to bedrooms with en-suite facilities, new plastering, rewiring – the lot really.
“The funding has been essential for us. We couldn’t have set this new venture up without it.
“I’m absolutely confident in the future of Redcar as a tourist resort. It’s why we’re doing this.”
The new venture will also create a part-time job, as Steve will soon be employing a cleaner.
Shortage of quality tourist bed-spaces
Margie Oliver, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Business & Employment Growth Manager, said: “We introduced the ‘Welcome to’ scheme to tackle the shortage of quality tourist bed-spaces in Redcar.
“The tourist economy is a vital part of Redcar’s future and we need entrepreneurs like Steve to make sure people have great places to stay while they visit our town.”
To find out more about the Business Support and funding for hotels and bed and breakfasts, offered by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, call 01642 444494 or email: placeinvestment@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
