Clearing the Way for the New Eston Precinct

Demolition work has officially begun at Eston Precinct, marking the first step in the much-anticipated transformation of this once-vital retail centre into a new civic space for Greater Eston. For those gathered on site, including the mayor, council representatives, the RCBC project team, ESH Construction, consultants and our architects, the scene of machinery clearing concrete and steel is not just about what's being removed, but what's soon to be built in its place.

The redevelopment is the product of years of collaboration between Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and the wider project team, with SPACE Architects leading the design. Supported by funding from the Government's Levelling Up initiative and the Tees Valley Combined Authority, the scheme aims to revive the relevance and resilience of Eston's High Street, establishing it once again as a local hub for trade and community life.

The design team's ambition has been to move beyond simple replacement. What's emerging is a retail precinct that remembers what came before. From early concept sketches, the legacy of Eston's ironstone mining heritage played a key role. In a town shaped by its geology, history has been acknowledged and interpreted, quietly embedded in the built form through a material palette of red brick, Corten steel, and sandstone.

The familiar rhythm of the High Street is being reimagined rather than erased. A single-storey frontage, bookended in brick, recalls the industrial utility of former incline buildings that once served the iron mines. Arched motifs and varied brickwork bring character and rhythm to each unit, lending the development a sense of familiarity while confidently asserting its contemporary identity.

Phase one will see the demolition of eighteen existing units, followed by the construction of new buildings to the west of the site. These will house a flexible mix of retail units, some of which can accommodate national tenants, and others are deliberately scaled for independent businesses. The intention is to strike a careful balance, increasing footfall while preserving the local character and voice of the community.

The public realm sits at the heart of the proposal. The new precinct opens up a previously closed-off site, threading a generous pedestrian route between Lodge Road and the High Street. Existing cherry trees have been retained, and softened planting lines have been introduced along the southern boundary. New spaces for rest and informal gathering are being created through a robust yet refined landscape strategy. Seasonal planting and natural stone sourced to reflect the nearby Eston Hills offer both utility and a sense of place.

The infrastructure has been designed to support future activities beyond retail. Power supplies for pop-up markets and improved cycling infrastructure have shaped the design significantly, helping to accommodate the growing success of initiatives like the Eston Market, which currently operates from a nearby car park. A secure rear service yard supports the practical needs of tenants while preserving a clean, pedestrian-first public frontage.

In keeping with the wider regeneration objectives for Greater Eston, the project has been shaped through architectural thinking as well as active dialogue. Crime prevention officers, landscape specialists and local authority partners have each informed the design's evolution. The result is a scheme that reflects the complexity of site context, community memory and contemporary needs.

Behind the safety fencing and high-vis jackets is a collective sense of responsibility, shared across disciplines, to deliver something that the people of Eston can recognise as theirs. Planning approval for the scheme was granted in April, with demolition now underway and set to complete by autumn 2025. Phase One construction is scheduled to follow, with completion expected by spring 2026.