REDCAR’S thriving nightlife scene has received a welcome boost with the opening of two new bars, with a little help from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s High Street Support Scheme.
The Halt, on Station Road, and The Prosecco Quarter, on Queen Street, are the new hot spots in the seaside town’s booming Northern Quarter.
The owners of both new bars accessed financial assistance from the High Street Support Scheme.
The Halt
Lee Shore, co-owner of The Halt, which is fast gaining a reputation for its live music offer, received a match-funded grant of £10,000 from the support scheme.
Lee said: “Without the Council we couldn’t have done it. They’ve really helped us out from the very beginning.
“We used the funds for the decorating, new flooring, the outside the electrics, new toilets, everything really.
“Business is great, better than we expected. We’re such a small business in a small bar but it’s really taken off in short space of time.
“In each microbar there are all different types of ales. Each pub you go in has different beers, not like the bigger pubs where it’s all the same. We’re always changing, always keeping it fresh.”
The Prosecco Quarter
Damon Smee, owner of The Prosecco Quarter, commented: “The High Street Support Scheme has been a great help. It helped us get things over the line.
“The main thing for me was to hire local tradesman with the money from the scheme. That way, we helped other people in Redcar in ensuring the money stays in the local community.
“Redcar is on the whole is on the up, and Station Road area is a product of good people’s faith in the area, the people and their community. You have other independents, such as Betty Leigh Boutique, Tinkerella, Jo Bishops, Geoff Crust’s and more all playing their part in offering something different for the area.
“I’d tell anyone looking to set up a business to take a look at the High Street Support Scheme. Take your time, do your research, ask questions, be brave and be prepared to task risk and prepare to fail until you get it right.”
Damon Smee – The Prosecco Quarter
The Prosecco Quarter benefitted from the scheme with £4,739.80 which was in turn match funded by Damon to carry out a full renovation of the former fishmonger’s unit to transform it into the bar.
Supporting our High Streets
Councillor Bob Norton, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “The Northern Quarter pub scene is a real success story and it’s down to risk-taking entrepreneurs like Lee and Damon.
“There are 16 bars and micro pubs dotted all along Station Road and its side streets. People are having a great time in this string of independently owned, unique bars.
“I’m really pleased we were able to help Lee and Damon with their new ventures and I wish them every success for the future.”
The High Street Support scheme provides match-funded financing for:
• shop frontage works;
• fittings for existing businesses such as service counters and waiting areas etc;
• improving security;
• enhancements to upper floors to bring them back into business use;
• providing financial support for new businesses to bring vacant units back into use.
For further information, call the Council on 01642 444494 or email: placeinvestment@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk .
