THE economic downturn means that regeneration has slowed down in many areas, but in South Tyneside, regeneration and jobs continue to be delivered. Since 2010, over 1,500 jobs have been created in the borough.
Regeneration, business development and job creation have been priorities for the Council for many years, but now there is greater focus than ever to grow the economy and bring prosperity to South Tyneside. There is a strong track record of partnership working and this has been strengthened with the recent launch of the South Tyneside Economic Regeneration Board, Chaired by Margaret Fay, former Chair of One North East. The Board brings together the private, third and public sectors to bring greater focus on the delivery of South Tyneside’s economic growth and regeneration programme.
South Tyneside has many great natural assets including its stunning coastline, a spectacular location on the Tyne, excellent transport links such as the A19 corridor and new Tyne Tunnel, natural environment and fascinating heritage. Added to this, a ‘can-do’ attitude from the Council and its partners makes South Tyneside a great place to do business. We are already home to some big names like Barbour, Ford Components, BT, A&P Tyne, MI Dickson Ltd and Siemens – come and see why the millions of pounds of private and public investment will continue to make South Tyneside a great place to live, work, visit and do business.
Many years of work are coming to fruition as new commercial, leisure and housing developments are brought forward, constructed and completed.
South Shields – a thriving and lively town centre
There is a lot already going on in South Shields with the market, traditional shopping streets, big name retailers and the much-loved Ocean Road, home to a vast array of Asian and other restaurants. We are already working closely with retail businesses to support them and improvements to Ocean Road have started. We have ambitious plans for commercial, leisure and housing in the town centre and are working to bring forward a range of sites for development.
South Shields foreshore – a very special asset
Our foreshore is fantastic. It is enjoyed by many millions of residents and visitors who come to enjoy the beaches, parks, funfair and much more. This summer, 20,000 people joined us in Bents Park for a concert by Joe McElderry as part of our brilliant Summer Festival.
We have invested millions of pounds in the foreshore. With a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund we have restored South Marine Park to its Victorian grandeur. A £2million Sea Change improvement scheme has provided new performance areas and decking, upgraded lighting, road improvements, new street furniture and new artwork. We are also building a superb £16m new swimming pool and leisure facility, due for completion in spring
2013.
South Shields Riverside – investment bearing fruit
On the Riverside, investment by the Council and One North East in site preparation of a 35-hectare area has kick-started regeneration. The flagship development of a new regional headquarters for BT on Harton Quay is now complete, with new jobs already being taken up. The new building is expected to be full by spring 2012. Construction starts early next year on a fantastic new riverside park providing a natural home for future investment.
At nearby Trinity South, a major new housing site is planned. The 7.7-hectare site will see up to 400 family homes being built. The Council will choose a preferred developer at the end of the year. Also at Trinity South, the Council is constructing a ‘Green Incubator’, a new home for green and high tech businesses in the borough. The Centre is under construction and is due to be completed in June 2012.
Creating great communities
At Hebburn we remain committed to transforming the town centre. The Council is busy assembling sites for future housing, retail and mixed use development. At nearby School Street, Four Housing is building 71 new homes, while at Druridge Crescent, South Shields, new housing for older people has recently been completed. New family homes at Whitburn Shores, Whitburn, will also be completed soon.
Thriving businesses and new jobs
South Tyneside Council is passionate about providing excellence in enterprise and business support. We constantly strive to develop innovative and creative services to support our businesses and promote economic growth.
We have an unrivalled package of support available to help new businesses to start in the borough and to support the growth of our existing businesses. Recent examples of this include an intensive support project for high growth business start-ups and the launch of ‘Supply South Tyneside’ which provides support to businesses in the Borough to help them to overcome the barriers associated with locating, bidding for, and winning public sector contracts. We have also launched the Creating Jobs in the Real Economy programme that provides financial assistance to businesses to employ young people at risk of long-term unemployment.
Coun Michael Clare, Lead Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth and Jobs said: “South Tyneside is very well placed to help drive the region’s economy. The Council is working exceptionally hard to make our borough one of the most enterprise-friendly investment locations in the UK. Our excellent partnership working with the private and public sector is paying dividends and we have established a reputation as a great place for business.
“We are proposing millions of pounds of capital investment over the next two years to help us attract sustainable businesses, create permanent job opportunities and promote even greater prosperity in the borough for years to come.
“We have great pride in South Tyneside and we are absolutely determined to promote what we have to employers and investors and to encourage and support the wealth of talent and entrepreneurial dynamism that exists here.”
With a superb range of sites available for housing, office, leisure, hotel and retail developments and a committed and proactive Council team to drive development forward, there’s never been a better time to invest in South Tyneside.
For more information about the development opportunities we have on offer, email regeneration@southtyneside.gov.uk or call David Cramond on 0191 424 7969.