Member Article

Bowmer & Kirkland on schedule with South Shields regeneration masterplan

South Tyneside Councillors will receive an update on the town centre regeneration when they meet next week (Thursday 30 July). The progress report will update on properties acquired, plans for the Market Place and The Word, the North East Centre for the Written Word as well as recent public consultation about the proposed new transport interchange.

In the last six months the Council and its developer Muse have appointed Bowmer & Kirkland as their main contractor. Construction started in April 2015 and work on The Word, the North East Centre for the Written Word, the Market Place and car park at Harton Quays Park are well underway.

Councillor John Anglin, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy at South Tyneside Council said: “The construction of The Word, the North East Centre for the Written Word, is the first phase of the wider redevelopment of South Shields town centre as part of the 365 masterplan.

“I am delighted that the construction is right on schedule and would like to thank local retailers and residents for their patience for any disruption whilst work is ongoing.”

The masterplan will transform South Shields; increasing the shopping and leisure offer in addition to improving the way people travel to, from and around the town.

The Word, the North East Centre for the Written Word, will be a facility of both regional and national significance. It will provide an improved library offer and interactive exhibition space that aims to provide a home not only for the North East’s writing talent, but to become a hub for community and cultural activity for the people of South Tyneside.

In addition to the construction of the three storey building near Ferry Street on the Riverside, this phase in the redevelopment of South Shields will also see improvements made to the adjoining Market Place and a new 40 space car park constructed on the vacant land on Harton Quays.

This includes resurfacing, a new market canopy and lighting as well as traffic calming.

Contractors Bowmer and Kirkland are based locally and South Shields 365 will help to provide employment for people across the region.

Cllr Anglin added: “It is vital that this significant regeneration project helps to boost economic growth and job opportunities for local people.

“We have therefore ensured that Bowmer and Kirkland investigate using local contractors wherever possible and that they look into employing locally-based labour.”

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