Member Article

100 new jobs announced as commercial operator is unveiled for Whitley Bay Spanish City Dome

North Tyneside Council has revealed that commercial operator Kymel Trading Limited will manage and run the regenerated Whitley Bay Spanish City Dome.

The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter in North Tyneside Council’s ongoing regeneration of the Spanish City Dome and surrounding area, as part of its £36m seafront master plan for Whitley Bay.

The proposals put forward by Kymel Trading Ltd are set to bring at least 75 brand new jobs when the Dome opens to the public, rising to more than 100 once the venue is fully operational.

The jobs boost alone is expected to bring more than £1m annually into North Tyneside’s economy. Work to restore the Dome ready for opening is also expected to generate around 50 temporary construction jobs.

As part of the agreement, the company will offer training opportunities for local people as well as the potential to qualify for higher education courses in catering, leisure management and more.

Staff will be encouraged to take up training opportunities and escalate their learning the longer they stay with the company, and all employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities will be advertised as part of the Generation North East (GENE) scheme.

Alongside today’s announcement, plans are also moving forward for the separate development of a hotel and restaurant next door to the Dome. An application for planning permission for the scheme has been submitted to North Tyneside Council by a developer and it is expected that, subject to planning permission being granted, construction work will begin during 2016.

The combination of the restored Spanish City Dome and the new hotel and restaurant is expected to substantially increase the number of visitors to Whitley Bay’s seafront and increase the potential for overnight stays.

Paul Mackings, Chief Executive of Cameron Hall Developments and Chairman of Kymel Trading Ltd has a track record of working with listed buildings and been involved with the historic redevelopment plans of Wynyard Hall and Gardens in Teesside and Woolsington Hall in Newcastle.

Mr Mackings said: “The Spanish City Dome is a significant and iconic building in a unique beachfront location that has huge potential to offer something very new and very compelling to the North East and our plans will see us utilise the building in a flexible, changeable and dynamic way.

“This is not just about an investment in the Dome, it’s about an investment in, and commitment to, supporting the successful future of Whitley Bay and North Tyneside. We were very impressed by the council’s positive commitment to the regeneration of the Whitley Bay seafront, and its growing reputation for successful and popular coastal events.”

Paul continued: “We’re looking forward to supporting North Tyneside’s reputation as a strong day-visitor destination and contributing to the renaissance of Whitley Bay and we aim to work closely with North Tyneside Council to develop an extensive programme of high quality engaging year-round events, helping to attract new business and new people to Whitley Bay.

“We have also given a commitment to buying from local suppliers wherever possible, employing local people and working to develop a new Hospitality Academy to offer training.”

Work is also underway on the refurbishment of the Watts Slope public toilets, and a design for re-grading the bank at the bottom of Watts Slope to improve access onto Northern Promenade is being finalised with the intention of starting work in the New Year.

The confirmation of an operator and plans means that North Tyneside Council can submit its Stage Two bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Dome’s restoration, which it expects to do shortly. Subject to Heritage Lottery Fund approval, work is expected to start on the Spanish City Dome by early summer 2016 and it is expected that the scheme will take between 12 and 15 months to complete.

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “This is a major step forward for the regeneration of Whitley Bay and is something we’ve been working towards for a very long time.

“Our majestic Spanish City Dome is iconic across the North East and beyond and I know how much it means to local people who have told us how they want to see the Dome returned to use once again.

“This partnership with Kymel Trading Ltd marks the start of a brand new chapter in Whitley Bay’s wonderful history which will see the building sympathetically transformed into a modern, vibrant and exciting destination venue, heralding the start of a fantastic new future for the area.

“The plans put forward are just perfect for the Dome, building on its rich history whilst securing a new and ambitious long term future. Kymel Trading Ltd has a fantastic track record of working with heritage assets including Grade II listed buildings and a strong reputation for quality, which makes them a natural fit as future operator. I am confident that, once complete, the Spanish City Dome will become one of the ultimate entertainment spaces in the North East.”

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