Despite 2020 being a very challenging year for us all, there were lots of amazing business success and exciting investments TOTALLING OVER £1 BILLION announced or started in Redcar and Cleveland in 2020, many of which are setting the foundations for a very bright future, from this year and beyond. We take a look at some below.
PD Ports – one of our most important businesses and a major employer have done some incredible things in 2020 –
- £9.2M investment in new bulks handling facility opened
- New £1.35M pilot vessel, Stainsby, welcomed to its fleet
- £3.36M refurbishment project on ‘Number 1 Ro-Ro‘ terminal completed
- New containership service from Eastern Europe launched
- New Bilbao service launched
- Secured £230M waste to energy plant by Wentworth Clean Power (WCP)
- Followed up with a £430M second project by WCP on the same site – these projects will create 650 new jobs
- Launch ‘Future Teesport’ vision outlining new opportunities capable of adding an extra £3.2 billion to the economy whilst helping to create up to 38,000 new jobs
Teesworks – The UK’s largest industrial zone, right here in Redcar and Cleveland continues to make great progress. Here’s some of the things done this year –
- SSI UK land acquired, and transferred to STDC / Teesworks
- SSI Steelworks and associated land acquired through CPO
- 4.5M sq ft manufacturing zone announced – 1,000 construction jobs with 9,000 permanent roles
- £150M steelworks demolition contract announced – 300 jobs would be created
- Work begins on new state of the art £1M Teeswork entrance
- Plans unveiled to develop a new £90million quay at South Bank
- Planning permission granted for the 4.5M sq ft manufacturing zone
- Plans for entire Teesworks site submitted – supporting 11,400 jobs
ICL Boulby – the world’s only producer of polysulphate, proudly based at East Cleveland had a great 2020 –
- Boulby Underground Laboratory – exploring the moon and mars with NASA!
- Million tonnes + of contracts announced
- Record breaking performance this year
Anglo American – Anglo American secured the future of the £2.8Bn Woodsmith Polyhalite Project, with 2,000 jobs to be created. Anglo American have announced a major recruitment drive by the spring as construction continues at a pace.
Redcar Town Deal – Six exciting projects have been selected to be included in the ‘Town Investment Plan‘ – submitted to government for multi-million pound funding from the ‘Town’s Fund’ – these projects would have a transformational impact on Redcar town centre –
- Town Centre Transformation
- Culture and leisure anchor attraction
- Station Road development
- Clean growth skills delivery
- Coatham Leisure quarter
- Improving connectivity with Teesworks
Loftus Future High Streets Fund – the government has awarded £5.8M from their Future High Streets Fund for transformational plans to improve Loftus town centre. The pool of projects are:
- New gym facility to complement the existing leisure centre
- Relocating Loftus Library to create a new community hub linked to the High Street
- Rejuvenating Coronation Park with improved lighting and landscaping
- Creating more quality housing and improving key gateways
- Creating new visitor accommodation and commercial uses in empty buildings
- Creating quality workspace for new and existing businesses
- Creating a cultural hub in a disused building
- Improving key shop fronts in the heart of the town
- Improving the town’s appearance with gateways, paths, landscaping, lighting and paving
New Regent Cinema – Work is underway to develop a brand new £9M state of the art cinema for Redcar:
- Three screens – 35, 44 and 95 seats
- New art-deco style cafe and licensed bar with fantastic sea views
- Opening 2022
New hotel for Redcar – Initial designs have been revealed of what the 42-bedroom hotel to be built in Redcar could look like. Subject to planning approval, the North East chain, Inn Collection Group, who also own the Kings Head in Newton-under-Roseberry and The Stables in Whitby, are set to finance and develop the hotel and family restaurant which will be based in Coatham.
So, lots of exciting projects, demonstrating a lot of confidence in the future of Redcar and Cleveland, and lots to be shouting about in 2021 and beyond!
