Building companies are being sought to help restore Whitley Bay’s iconic Spanish City to its former glory.
The North Tyneside Construction Sector Group, an arm of the North Tyneside Business Forum, is working with Robertson Construction, which is delivering the major development, to find local subcontractors for the scheme.
It comes after North Tyneside Council last month (March) secured £3.47m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help restore the Grade II listed Spanish City and Dome.
The funding boost marked the culmination of years of work by the authority as well as its partners and the local community to bring the landmark building back into use.
The project is expected to cost around £10m – with more than £4m being invested by the council and a Coastal Communities Fund grant of over £2.5m – and forms part of the ambitious £36m Seafront Masterplan to transform the seafront between St Mary’s Lighthouse and Cullercoats Bay.
The Spanish City development will include a high-quality restaurant, shops and cafes.
Robertson Construction is now looking for all types of building services companies, including joiners, plumbers, grounds men, glaziers, roofers and many more, to work on the scheme.
Work is due to get underway in August 2016 and the project will create up to 100 jobs for local people as well as training opportunities.
Businesses are invited to a drop-in Meet the Buyer event at Olives at the Station, Whitley Bay Metro Station, onThursday 21 April between 8am and 11am to find out more about how to become part of the supply chain.
Paul Buie, Head of Business and Economic Development, North Tyneside Council, said: “The drop-in event at Whitley Bay Metro Station is an excellent opportunity for local firms offering a wide range of construction services to find out how they could play a part in helping to breathe new life into one of our most famous and iconic landmarks.
“We would encourage any businesses interested in getting on board to come along to the event and get all the information they need.”