North East & Yorkshire

A beacon for Redcar

 Redcar Vertical Pier

The Redcar Beacon takes pride of place at the centre of Redcar’s multi-million pound seafront regeneration.

The 80ft structure was given the working title of the ‘Vertical Pier’ when it was first proposed in 2008 but has recently been officially named The Redcar Beacon after a community-wide naming competition.

Visitors will be able to take in stunning panoramic views from a top-level viewing platform once the structure opens in early 2013.

A ground-floor café will serve up refreshments, with other levels providing workshops showcasing the best of the Borough’s creative industries.

Redcar and Cleveland  Redcar Vertical Pier  Council wants to breathe new life into the town – the authority’s regeneration masterplan includes a vision of bringing an extra million annual visitors to Redcar by 2025.

The Redcar Beacon is complemented by a £31m Leisure and Community Heart project, which will offer sporting facilities already hailed as “inspirational” by Olympic long jump legend Jonathan Edwards.

An £8.3m creative industries ‘Hub’ on the seafront provides first-class business space for local traders,
while a £4.9m youth centre will bring first-class multimedia facilities to local young people.

The Environment Agency and the Council are also working in partnership on a £30m scheme to provide crucial strengthened sea defences and a new-look promenade.

The Redcar Beacon is part funded by the NE ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 which is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region. Other funders include One North East and the sea defence work is being carried out in conjunction with the Environment Agency.

 Redcar Vertical Pier

Councillor Mark Hannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said:

“I am thrilled that we are able to unveil the Redcar Beacon as the name chosen by the public for our new seafront landmark.

“It comes at a time when Redcar is undergoing the biggest regeneration programme in its history and we must now look forward to the prosperous future that all of this exciting work will create.”

Councillor Olwyn Peters, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said:

“Bringing more visitors to Redcar and the surrounding area is a hugely important aim for us and the Redcar Beacon is a brilliant new attraction.

“Once it is open to the public, I hope as many people as possible take the chance to come along and see what Redcar has to offer.”

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