BUSINESSES are being asked to move into Saltburn's new but entirely empty £600,000 foreshore building.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, in association with the Saltburn Improvement Company, plans to advertise for businesses to come forward.

The development, on Saltburn's lower promenade, was built with money from the European Regional Development Fund, Northumbrian Water, One NorthEast, the Regional Development Agency and the council.

The building includes two retail units, a large cafe and restaurant area, plus a meeting room and changing facilities.

Meanwhile visitors to Saltburn should soon have easier access to the lower promenade, thanks to a new stone footpath by the building.

Peter Lane, the council's assistant director for leisure and community services, said: "We are expecting a great deal of interest and would hope that we could organise approval for prospective tenants by September or October.

"It must be emphasised that although the building is now complete, it is still empty. However, it is looking superb and we are sure it will be a popular facility."