Demolition work to make way for a new leisure attraction on Redcar’s Esplanade has been temporarily halted and may not resume until next year.

Redcar and Cleveland Council, which is behind the scheme being financed by Government ‘Town Deal’ funds, said the first phase of demolition involving the knocking down of the former Marks & Spencer and Goodwins stores had identified further works that were required.

It said additional design work was now needed as well as licence and “party wall” agreements and this would take place in the background over the next two months before the demolition resumed.

Some residents have been critical of the appearance of the area, questioning the lack of activity and the removal of heavy plant machinery.

One resident said: “The site looks dreadful, looking like the aftermath of the World War Two blitz.”

The council previously acquired the buildings, which lay between the Esplanade and the High Street, with a town deal steering group coming up with plans for the site which include a new public space.

The build is also due to incorporate a new home for the town’s central library, currently based in Ridley Street.

A statement published by the council acknowledged the apparent “pause” and said the first phase of demolition had enabled investigations into the condition of surrounding walls and structures.

Earlier in the year a council officer told a scrutiny committee of complications that had been caused by the discovery of asbestos in the buildings to come down.

The M&S in Redcar closed in 2014 and the building was eventually put up for sale on the open market with a guide price of just under £1.3m.

It was bought by the council in 2021, while cut-price retailer Goodwins also later moved out as a result of a similar deal struck with the authority.

Planning permission for the entertainment venue, set to contain tenpin bowling, mini golf, laser tag and climbing walls as well as a ‘cultural hub’, was granted in February 2023.

It is hoped it will partly address a perceived lack of ‘wet weather’ indoor attractions in Redcar and boost footfall to shops in the area which have been in decline.

Daniel Gregg, an associate director with consultants Lichfields, told last year’s planning meeting that the project would help “reinvent” the offer to tourist visitors and promised a “modern and striking” exterior design.

He said: “This scheme would see a key site redeveloped, reducing the town vacancy rate and improving impressions of the seafront from the town centre.”