BUSINESS OWNERS across the Redcar and Cleveland borough have been praised for backing an initiative to upgrade high streets.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council launched Uplifting Our Town Centres with the aim of improving dozens of empty properties in the main shopping areas.

Officers behind the scheme say they are making good progress thanks to the support of people in the borough.

The council's cabinet member for economic development, Councillor Mark Hannon, said: "A lot of good work has already been done in setting up this project and we are definitely starting to see the rewards of our efforts."

In Redcar, the focus is on 17 properties. Four owners are already taking steps to improve their frontages while the council is negotiating deals in principle with seven others and six more are at the discussion stage.

A total funding package of £200,000 is available for the sea front and the High Street area between the Town Clock and Wilkinsons, concentrating on the large High Street block of vacant units.

Councillor Hannon said: "We have been extremely encouraged by the response on this site, with property owners in this vacant block ready to move forward with improvements, subject to planning approval.

"But there is also a downside and we have to report that the one owner has absconded, possibly abroad, and that's inevitably going to block progress, which is extremely disappointing.

Work on improving areas in Guisborough, Loftus, Brotton, Salburn and Greater Eston is also said to be progressing well.

Councillor Hannon said: "The most positive and pleasing aspect of the initiative is the willingness of the property owners to embrace our philosophy that something needs to be done as a collective force.

"We've got money to invest, but we expect the owners to pay a substantial part of the way, too and I'm delighted to say they are more than prepared to do that."

Business owners wanting advice should call the council’s regeneration team. For Redcar, call Matthew O'Neill on 01642-444325, for east Cleveland call Gillian Stringer on 01642-444352 and for Greater Eston, call Katherine Heirons on 01642-444327.