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Record £7 million funding for six North East seaside towns to kickstart hundreds of new jobs

Whitley Bay’s iconic Spanish City Dome is just one of many seaside attractions across England to benefit from a record £36 million Government investment to boost growth in coastal areas.

The money, from the Coastal Communities Fund, will support projects that will create nearly 3,000 jobs and almost 1,500 apprenticeships and training places.

It is the biggest round of cash provided by the Fund for schemes that are also attracting £36 million in additional financing.

It is reported that the fund with see 6 North East towns receive over £7 million in funding, resulting in the creation of over 300 direct jobs alone.

Projects in the North East set to benefit are:

• North Tyneside Council receives £2 million to help with the regeneration of Whitley Bay including the final restoration of the Grade II listed Spanish City Dome, bringing the building into use for commercial and leisure based businesses. The refurbished building will be home to 69 jobs.
• South Tyneside Council receives £1.5 million to improve the access and public space between the south and north promenades on South Shields Foreshore by upgrading of public realm. This will create up to 52 jobs.
• Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council receives £900k to create a Catering Academy which will provide training, including apprenticeships, located in the Pavilion at Kirkleatham, Redcar, and restore the adjacent Victorian Walled Garden. Will create 40 direct and 40 indirect jobs, 64 apprenticeships and 300 training places.
• Port of Blyth in Northumberland receives £500k to create a modern vocational centre for engineering and offshore training, as well as training in water sports for visitors and local community organisations, in Blyth. This will create 7 jobs.
• Sunderland City Council receives £540k to create a year round programme of events and attractions at Sunderland seafront to attract more visitors and improve infrastructure and training for local businesses. This will support 60 local businesses and create 38 jobs.
• Seaham Marina CIC in Durham receives £1.7 million to continue the regeneration of Seaham by creating new watersports facilities, improved boatyard facilities with 23 extra berths, and improved access to the beach and local amenities. This will create 70 jobs.

Director of Seaham Harbour Marina, Peter Coe, said: “The CCF award for Seaham Harbour Marina of £1.744M is excellent news for the town.

“It will mean that berth holders will enjoy top class facilities to repair and maintain their vessels including a boat hoist for larger craft, an additional 23 berths and servicing of the pontoons.

“It will also establish a new water sports centre in a controlled environment on the beach as well as improved access arrangements and environmental improvements.

“The funds will also provide advice and support to local businesses and new start ups with the aim of creating 70 new jobs and ensuring that the marina is financially self sustaining as well as accelerating the regeneration plans of the town and benefitting the wider ex coalfield community.”

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Olwyn Peters said: “The Kirkleatham Estate in Redcar is one of the area’s most prized assets and this funding announcement is fantastic news because it provides us with the opportunity to enhance and develop what we have to offer to visitors as well as creating welcomed apprenticeship, training and job opportunities for local people.

“The Council and its partners can now start to realise the vision for Kirkleatham and return the historic walled garden to its former glory as well as creating a catering academy, quality restaurant and exhibition space.”

Cabinet Secretary for Sunderland City Council, Councillor Mel Speding, said: “We are delighted that our bid to the Coastal Communities Fund has been successful, and the additional, external funding will help us further develop our ambitious plans for the continuing regeneration of our seafront.

“The success of the bid is testament to the strong business case and programme of physical and environmental improvements already in place, and to our close working relationship with business and community partners. It will help us create even more jobs, support local businesses and provide a resort which will attract even greater number of visitors.”

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