"Transformative" North Shields masterplan secures multi-million pound funding boost

Plans to revitalise a Tyneside town have been given a boost with new multi-million pound funding.

North Tyneside Council has been awarded £3.5m from the Government’s Getting Building Fund - managed in the region by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) - to support its planned transformation of North Shields.

The project will see a number of improvements made to the Howard Street and Northumberland Square areas.

In addition, Nexus has secured more than £5m to relocate the landing for the cross-Tyne ferry service to Western Quay to bring the ferry to the heart of the Fish Quay.

News of the investment comes after the council’s cabinet approved the final version of the masterplan earlier this week,

Cllr Bruce Pickard, deputy mayor of North Tyneside and cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, commented: “Our ambitious plans will transform North Shields town centre and the riverside and will greatly benefit communities and businesses by attracting more people there and creating somewhere to be proud of.

“Our successful bid to the Getting Building Fund is another great piece of news following our other recent successful funding bid to the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme as well as the approval from cabinet to press ahead with the plans.

“We also look forward to continuing to work with our partners at Nexus to relocate the ferry landing into the master plan area, which will complement the work to transform the area and help secure the long-term future of this important service.”

Helen Golightly, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “North Shields, and in particular North Shields Fish Quay, has gone through a dramatic transformation in recent years and has become a popular visitor destination.

“The funding from government’s Getting Building Fund will support North Tyneside Council’s broader masterplan for the area, which aims to turn the town centre and Fish Quay into an attractive, family friendly destination with a year round cultural offer; helping to attract further investment and create more and better jobs in the area.

“The Getting Building Fund has invested heavily in North Tyneside, with more than £5m being awarded to Nexus to create a new North Shields ferry landing in the heart of the Fish Quay. Both investments are great news for North Tyneside and the wider region as they will support the North East’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.”

Huw Lewis, customer services director at Nexus, added: “Our plans to locate a new Shields ferry landing at the Western Quay will play a big role in the ongoing regeneration of North Shields town centre.

“As our region starts to recover from the impact of Covid-19 over the coming years the ferry will provide a vital link between communities. The scheme has the potential to be transformative, helping to drive footfall into this important regeneration area.”

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