Construction starts on £10m maritime hub

The Whitby Maritime Hub will be built on Endeavour Wharf

Work on the construction of a £10m maritime facility in a seaside town is set to begin, a council has said.

The Whitby Maritime Training Hub will provide training facilities and accommodation for maritime businesses and service providers, North Yorkshire Council said.

The council said the hub, on Endeavour Wharf, would also have space for engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses, with construction due to be completed in April 2026.

Councillor Mark Crane said: We believe the hub can open the door to new economic growth in coastal areas and be a key development for Whitby."

He added: "It is imperative that there is a sustainable and diverse range of job opportunities for our communities and the building of a world-class training facility can only help inspire the future apprentices and professionals in the maritime sector."

'New opportunities'

The authority said it would initially manage the facility, with the potential for a community interest company to be developed to take on the running of the hub.

Whitby Town Board chair Barry Harland said: "Presenting new opportunities for people in and around Whitby is the main reason for the hub being built."

The project, which is expected to cost £9.6m, will be funded from the £17.1m given to Whitby as part of the Government's Town Deals programme.

The car park at Endeavour Wharf has been closed for construction with alternative car parking available in the nearby park and ride from 6 April.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.