COMPANIES are being offered a unique chance to build and manage a number of beach huts on the east Cleveland coast.

Businesses are being offered the opportunity to build 20 new huts in Saltburn and Redcar by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council as they look to develop their tourism strategy.

The plans would help to serve a considerable demand in the borough with 20 existing annually let chalets in Saltburn having a waiting list of more than 200 people.

Identified sites include Redcar Esplanade next to Tuned In! as well as the Lower Promenade in Saltburn where new huts would be installed by the winning bidders.

Councillor Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This is a perfect opportunity for businesses across the borough to assist in easing the demand for beach huts across the coastal areas of our borough.

“Other seaside towns like Whitby and Filey have proved just how popular huts are for people like kayakers or surfers who enjoy coming down to the beaches regularly and I am sure a similar development in Redcar, and especially Saltburn, could prove equally as popular.”

Applications will be evaluated on design, deliverability and strength of business plan alongside other criteria. Both unique and traditionally designed beach huts will be considered, however there are certain restrictions, including no overnight use.

Once on site, the operators would then be able to lease out the huts to the general public and with the demand in Saltburn being so high, it is expected that operators could easily recoup their initial investment.

The release of this land for beach hut use is part of the Council’s plans to significantly grow visitor numbers to the borough and is part of a recently completed Visitor Destination Plan, offering a five year strategy and action plan for the borough.

The submission deadline for interested parties to submit their bids is 11.59am on Monday, March 9 and that can be done via the NEPO portal at www.nepoportal.org. Registration for the site is free and full documentation on the plans can be found once an expression of interest has been made.