£5.9m Redcar railway station plans include shops and offices

The work on the Grade II listed building is being carried out by award-winning architect, Howarth Litchfield for Redcar & Cleveland Council. 

Howarth Litchfield Director Neil Turner explained the vision:“In terms of developing our proposals for the project, we took an empty railway station which had been converted in the 1980s and have proposed stripping back the works to reveal the original building, adding a contemporary shopping and leisure experience with the creation of commercial and retail units at the ground floor, whilst at the same time, revealing the history of railways and engineering.

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To be innovative - as the original building designers were - we also propose the addition of sustainable heating and lighting so that the building can be lit and warmed as efficiently as possible.  The introduction of south-facing solar panels is also proposed together with upgrades to insulation and new weatherproofing.”

How the station looks now (Image: Press release)

The project, which has an estimated value of around £5.9m, is now the subject of a planning application and is part of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s ambitious strategy to upgrade the town with a series of landmark projects.

Redcar was awarded £25m in June last year as part of the Government’s Town Deal programme. It was also announced that £310m was separately being made available for transport priorities in the Tees Valley.

In partnership with the Redcar Town Deal Board the council pulled together detailed plans for a number of projects, including the scheme to link the High Street to the seafront.

Other projects include improving how the High Street looks and functions, introducing new landscaping, street furniture, lighting and signage – as well as more greenery to improve the area.

The new seafront cinema is already open for business.

Howarth Litchfield was called in because of its heritage experience gained on other regional conservation-led  schemes such as the redevelopment of the listed Shildon Railway Museum, the redevelopment and refurbishment of the Grade 1 listed Acklam Hall and Neville Hall, adjacent to Newcastle Railway station.

The planned interior of the station (Image: Press release)

Neil Turner said that health and safety issues will be a key priority.

“Building next to a railway is a challenge and how this can best be achieved is a topic which has been the subject of much discussion. We have a good conservation team and together with the support of the other professional bodies involved, our task will be made much easier."

The refurbishment of Redcar Central Station will greatly benefit the town and the wider borough in several ways, as Councillor Chris Gallacher, cabinet member for economic growth at Redcar and Cleveland Council, explained when the plans were unveiled.

“If given the go ahead, this scheme will not only provide a new leisure and retail facility within the station itself, which local people can be proud of, it will also create jobs during the construction phase, in the running of the station and through the employment opportunities that will be created by the businesses which will base themselves there," he said.

“Existing local businesses will also benefit from the increased visitor numbers using the revitalised station.  It is a further significant development for the town and will provide another fitting gateway to the wider borough.”

The planning application has been made following a pre-application consultation process, feedback from which has informed the final design.  a final decision is expected next month.

Funding for the project has been allocated from the Redcar Growth Fund and Welcome to Redcar and Cleveland Fund administered by the TVCA.

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