Two major regeneration projects in Loftus have officially opened, marking a significant milestone for the town.
The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Johanna Ropner, Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Cllr Ian Hart, and Mayor of Loftus Town Council Cllr Micheal Hodgson all visited the town to mark the occasion, joining hundreds of residents who enjoyed the Fun Day organised by Maria O'Neil, Chair of Loftus Regeneration Group with fairground rides, trampolines, and family activities.
The historic United Reformed Church, a building dating back to 1906, has been transformed, and the brand-new Temperance Square training hub has been completed.
The United Reformed Church had stood empty for two decades. Now, following extensive refurbishment delivered by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, it has been brought back to life as a vibrant creative space.
The building now houses artist studios, a gallery, and workshop areas, and will be home to a group of artists committed to working closely with the local community.
Temperance Square has also opened its doors. This purpose-built, single-storey facility is designed to support employment and skills development across Loftus and East Cleveland.
With dedicated space for training and collaboration with partners such as Jobcentre Plus and Beyond Housing, the centre aims to boost job prospects, encourage new business start-ups, and expand access to skills courses.
The project was made possible thanks to £1.8 million in Government funding and an additional £1.3 million administered by Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said:
“It is jobs and prosperity which will transform the prospects of local people. More money in people’s pockets means more money for them to spend in the local area. Helping local people get the skills and training they need for quality jobs is vitally important, and will only benefit our local businesses and communities.
“The transformation of the United Reformed Church is another fantastic milestone for Loftus, bringing a beautiful historic building back into use and creating a space where creativity and community can thrive.
“I’d like to thank the people of Loftus who have been so incredibly patient while works have been carried out, and I hope everyone had a truly lovely day celebrating together at the Fun Day.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said:
"This is a fantastic new training facility which will support local people in developing the skills they need to take advantage of the job opportunities coming to Teesside - while also bringing a historic local building back to life."