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Firms fear impact of 'lengthy' regeneration works

Claudia FenwickNorth East and Cumbria
BBC A smiling blonde Jenny Truefitt wears a colourful jewelled headband and a bright blue top. She has blue eyes, gold earrings and bright pink-red lipstick. She smiles directly at the camera. Behind her is an elegant interior with ornate screens and a tall green plant.BBC
Jenny Truefitt says the work on Chaloner Street has affected her business

Frustrated businesses say regeneration work is affecting their trade, with parking restrictions and disruption continuing for months.

Shop owners in Guisborough say the works, which cover areas of Westgate and Chaloner Street, have made it harder for customers to access businesses and find somewhere to park.

One such shopekeeper Peter Milburn said work on the road was meant to finish in August but there had been "issues" that have extended it for "a couple of extra months".

Redcar and Cleveland Council said it recognised the works "have taken longer than expected" and understood the frustration caused.

The regeneration work began in spring 2026 and Chaloner Street business owners say the area was fenced off during the summer, making it harder for customers to get to them.

A yellow sign reading "Chaloner Street closed no access to Westgate", situated on a pavement next to a large wall, as a man walks away from the camera carrying a supermarket plastic bag.
Access and parking continue to be issues in Guisborough

Jenny Truefitt, a sales manager at lingerie shop, said there had been a "lot of disruption" as older customers could not be dropped off outside the store.

She said she was concerned potential customers would "just go to other towns like Stokesley".

"It seems like it's taken a long time when initially it was meant to be four months," she said.

"A lot of businesses rely on people visiting. It's usually a nice experience but at the moment it's not so much."

Roadworks outside a large red-brick building. Red and orange safety barriers surround an excavated section of road. A pedestrian walks along the pavement beside the construction area. A bus and shops are visible further along the street.
The work and associated disruption is due to carry on well into next year

The works are expected to roll on until spring 2027 and the council said the government-funded scheme was designed to make the streets more welcoming and accessible for residents and visitors.

Plans for Westgate and Chaloner Street include new street furniture, a pedestrian crossing near New Road and feature lighting.

A smiling blonde woman with shoulder-length hair wears dark-framed glasses and a black top. She has a colourful necklace and smiles gently at the camera. Behind her are green leafy shrubs and a grey stone building.
Guisborough's mayor Julie Hart praised contractors

Town mayor Julie Hart, who also owns a business in Guisborough, said it had been "a little uncomfortable" but claimed the contractors Esh Construction was trying to "minimise the impact on everybody as much as they can".

"They're going to get Chaloner Street resurfaced again soon so that businesses can have a good Christmas trade," she said.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said the works revealed a number of unforeseen problems underground which required additional investigation and repair work.

It also said nearby public and private car parks remained open.

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