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Contractor appointed to begin developments of South Shields beaches

A multi-million pound project to improve public spaces between South Shields’ Littlehaven and Sandhaven beaches is quickly moving forward.

South Tyneside Council will be the main contractor for the improvement works, which will create or safeguard up to 52 jobs and improve the area between the north and south promenades, with new hard and soft landscaping and seating.

Additional works include CCTV and the renewal of the Ocean Beach Amusement Park artwork posters.

The council won £1.5m of funding for the scheme from the Coastal Communities Fund earlier this year. This will be matched by £529k from the council.

The scheme also includes significant private sector investment - the operators of Ocean Park Amusement Park will carry out improvements to the existing public toilets, provide a new information point / lost children facility and provide new access points to the promenade as an integral part of the overall scheme.

Councillor John Anglin, Lead Member for Regeneration and Economy, said: “This scheme will build on the considerable investment that has already gone into regenerating our Foreshore. The work will help create a more vibrant, attractive area to draw visitors onto the promenade and will improve connectivity between the north and south piers.

“The appointment of the Council’s direct labour force will ensure the scheme is constructed to a high standard of workmanship given the exemplary quality achieved elsewhere in schemes such as the recently completed Ocean road improvements.”

The owners of Ocean Beach Amusement Park are also supporting the vision for the area.

Owner Michael Sheeran said: “We have been fully behind the proposed improvements and feel the project will link the two promenades, giving us the confidence to invest further in our Family Entertainment Centres and open them up onto the new promenade.

“We are also relocating the Quasar Laser into a brand new arena within our Entertainment Centre which means it will improve the year-round facilities on the seafront for visitors.”

Work is due to start on site in early November and will run completed in Autumn 2016.

Cllr Anglin added: “Tourism is an essential part of the economic make up of South Shields and this project will create and safeguard a number of jobs directly on and around the Foreshore by increasing visitor numbers and spend.”

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