Pictured, from left to right, are George Clark, vice chair of Tyne Coast College; Dr Lindsey Whiterod, South Tyneside College chief executive; Paul Macking, PMC Ltd chair; Councillor Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council; Andrew Dawson, Castle managing director; Tony Lister, Castle co-founder and chief executive; and Dr Malcolm Grady, chair of governors

Contractor unveiled for 'game-changing' campus

Development bosses have named a contractor to deliver a “game-changing” education scheme.

Castle has been appointed to build a 15,000sq metre South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School base.

Officials say the project – which will see the education providers move from a Westoe site to South Shields’ town centre – will “create a modern campus” that will nurture workers for the clean energy roles of tomorrow.

They say it will also “create a new sense of vitality” by “bringing thousands of additional people” to South Shields’ town centre.

Construction work is expected to begin in the summer, with Hebburn-based Castle saying it will allow the firm to create jobs.

The college previously secured £22 million from the Department for Education’s FE capital transformation fund to support the development.

Dr Lindsey Whiterod, South Tyneside College chief executive, said: “This is an important next step in our vision to build a college that provides educational opportunities for the region’s young people and adults.

“Our relocation will play a key role in boosting local business, equipping people with the work and life skills they need to succeed, and support the economic growth of the region.”

Tony Lister, Castle co-founder and chief executive, said: “As a South Tyneside-based business, we are delighted to have won the contract.

“This project is destined to have a profound, positive impact on the regeneration of the borough.

“The contract will enable us to employ additional staff and, whenever possible, we will call upon local suppliers and services to support our teams.”

Councillor Tracey Dixon, South Tyneside Council leader, added: “Momentum is building on this project and people will start to see some activity on site over the coming weeks.

“Our regeneration ambitions are focused on diversifying the town centre and boosting footfall.

“This development is going to bring in thousands of additional people and a new sense of vitality.”

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