'Waste of public money' or 'long time coming': Teessiders react to £10m shopping area plans

A CGI image of what Eston Precinct should look like after redevelopment is completed
-Credit: (Image: Redcar and Cleveland Council)


The Eston precinct shopping area is up for a revamp as residents are being surveyed on a development plan - and Teesside Live readers are welcoming the investment in our comments section.

The project is being funded by nearly £10 million worth of Levelling Up Funding and the Tees Valley Combined Authority's Indigenous Growth Fund, and a survey will let locals put forward suggestions for the new-look precinct. The submission will then go to Redcar & Cleveland Council for approval.

Much of the existing precinct will be torn down, and the proposals have a highlight on Eston history, including arches that reflect the area's mining history. The information on the council’s website explains that “In recent years, Eston has faced many challenges. Empty shops on Eston’s High Street, for instance, have increased while the existing Eston Precinct is a dated retail environment.

“The proposed redevelopment therefore aims to provide high-quality retail and leisure facilities and will enhance the surrounding area with new paving, trees and benches. These developments will help to attract new retailers and provide a better and more vibrant environment for residents to shop.”

Some readers aren't too optimistic about the plans, like Teessideman: "What a waste of public money, where is the trade going to come from? Can the businesses compete with supermarkets or online?" Commenter Sesquipedaliensrule agrees: "Why on earth can't councillors see what the public can see - that this will be a total waste of our money?"

Bru disagrees: "Why is it a waste of money? Eston is a dump at the minute, it needs regeneration after all the years of neglect, the council have left Eston decaying for years much like the small villages in the surrounding areas. They are more concerned about pumping money into Redcar. Please close down all the scruffy take-aways down as well."

DHMSS welcomes the focus on Eston: “Long overdue, about time money was spent elsewhere other than trying gloss over Redcar.”

On our Facebook page, readers welcomed the news, with Sheila Watts saying: "We need something doing." A user under the name Ivy Cottage writes: "It's been a long time coming, looking forward to Eston Square being revamped."

Alan Peggs says: "As long as it is filled with real shops and not take aways." Mark Wood agrees: "Anything better than the dump that's there."

After the planning application and determination stage, construction works are due to start in April 2025 and are due to be completed in Spring 2026.

Have your say! What retailer or feature do you want to be the highlight of the new Eston precinct? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.