DESIGN and build contractor Surgo Construction Limited of Newcastle have been appointed by Redcar & Cleveland Council to deliver the multi million pound creative ‘Hub’ on Redcar seafront.

The Hub will be built at the site of the derelict Palace Theatre on the Esplanade and is part of the seafront improvement scheme designed to breathe new life into the town.

The contractors will start work on site in the spring with an opening date set for summer 2012.

Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Mark Hannon said: “The Hub is part of the £75 million investment in Redcar over the next 3 years – the largest ever regeneration in the history of the town.

When completed the Hub will provide an exciting new base for creative industries to prosper and help create employment opportunities as well as diversifying the economy and attracting more visitors.”

Jeff Alexander, Director of Surgo Construction Limited said: “Surgo Construction Limited are delighted to be awarded the contract for the project especially as we have a track record in delivering prestigious projects throughout the North East including the Kings Academy in Middlesbrough and Bishop Auckland College.

During construction we will undertake a joint training and employment programme through the local routes to employment and engage with local people by organising site visits, presentations and work experience placements.”

Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Sheelagh Clarke said: “The building has been designed to provide artists with the opportunity to showcase their work and fully serviced office space so businesses can flourish.

The Hub will build on the existing success and growth of the creative industries in the area and help to attract more visitors to Redcar.”

The Council have spoken to hundreds of firms during the planning stage and have already had dozens of expressions of interest to occupy work space in ‘The Hub’.

The Redcar seafront improvement, new sea wall, ‘The Hub’ and vertical pier are a joint initiative by Redcar & Cleveland Council and the Environment Agency, with support from One North East, European Regional Development Fund and Your Enterprise team.

‘The Hub’ and vertical pier are part financed by the European Union’s ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, securing £4.5m ERDF investment through regional development agency One North East.

The ERDF Programme is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.