Work is set to start on the demolition of the existing buildings on the corner of the main junction, known locally as “Forbuoys Corner”, to make way for a brand-new Employment and Skills Hub.
The aim of the project is to reduce unemployment numbers within Loftus and wider East Cleveland, encourage new business start-ups and increase the number of training and skills courses on offer.
The single-storey building will be purpose built for training and working with relevant partners such as Jobcentre Plus and Beyond Housing. Parking will be provided at the side at Newcomen Terrace where the building entrance is to be located, leaving the street facing (West Road) elevation surrounded by soft landscaping such as trees and a grassed area.
Over the course of the works there will be some temporary disruption to the high street and local area.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council is aware that there is frustration locally at the amount of temporary traffic lights along the length of the high street, some of which are being delivered by third parties. These are required to undertake key infrastructure and building works in a safe manner.
It is anticipated that the major works requiring these temporary traffic lights will be concluded by the end of summer.
A total of £1.8million of the Government’s Future High Streets Fund has been dedicated to this scheme, as well as £760,000 from the Indigenous Growth Fund administered by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.
Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “As a Council, we are working hard to restore pride in our communities, focusing regeneration in the areas which need it the most.
“We’d like to thank everyone in Loftus for their patience while works have been carried out so far. We know this has caused some disruption to your lives. But when these works are finished, you will see a transformed Loftus with a brand-new Employment and Skills Hub ensuring local people get the new jobs that are being created.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We’re helping to drive forward mammoth projects at Teesworks in Redcar and boosting our brilliant SME businesses to create the jobs local people deserve – and it’s more important than ever they have access to these opportunities.
“Thanks to the flexible funding on offer through schemes like our Indigenous Growth Fund, towns can target projects most important to them. With this Employment and Skills hub being created in Loftus, our communities are becoming even better places to live as key sites are brought back into practical, helpful use.”
More than £11 million was secured by the Council through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, the Council’s Area Growth funding, and Indigenous Growth Funding administered by Tees Valley Combined Authority. To see more projects planned for the town, please visit: https://loftusmasterplan.co.uk/