Euro grant boosts town

Oct 22 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

GUISBOROUGH is to receive a £1m boost to business through a cash handout from the European Union.

The seven-figure windfall, part of what is likely to be the last substantial European rural development grant made to regional agency One North East, will be used to position the market town as the gateway to Guisborough forest and the North York Moors National Park as well as establishing it as a tourist destination in its own right.

Six hundred thousand pounds will be used to improve the town’s visitor profile and facilities while it is hoped the remaining £400,000 will stimulate the creation of up to 30 micro business.

Redcar and Cleveland Council, which is managing the fund, said it had already received several inquiries for grants worth between £10,000 and £50,000 each to business owners.

Hazel Meynell, chair of the Guisborough Market Town Partnership, said the town was in desperate need of accommodation, which would encourage visitors to stay and spend more.

“People think of Guisborough as just being in the middle between coast and country. A lot of people stop, but only briefly. We want to attract people to the town as a base for walking, cycling and other activities. But there’s a shortage of accommodation providers,” she said.

Karl Pemberton of Active Financial Services on Westgate said investment wasn’t before time.

“The Guisborough of 20 years ago was the upmarket town of Teesside. Now that crown appears to have gone to Yarm.”

He suggested the regeneration started with abolishing the two hour parking limit. “During a downturn, why on earth would you want to discourage people from staying longer?”

Ian Stewart, regeneration officer for Redcar and Cleveland Council, said the aim was to increase footfall through “better shops, events and markets”.

He said the first noticeable improvements would be to shop fronts on Westgate where it planned to invest in new facades.