South Shields £100m revamp work begins

The redevelopment of the town centre is expected to take 10 years

A £100m redevelopment of a seaside town in the North East is under way.

The revamp of South Shields is expected to take 10 years to complete and will boast a new hotel, shops, library and leisure facilities.

South Tyneside Council said the start of the project was being marked with the demolition of 1960s eyesore Wouldhave House.

The plan, called South Shields 356, also includes a new cinema and cultural centre.

The bulldozing of Wouldhave House and redevelopment of the site will take three months including two new buildings, a library and rooftop restaurant.

Road links from the market place to the Riverside will also be changed and the construction of the £2.3m Harton Quays Park area is also under way.

As well as new shops, the plans include a Metro and bus interchange and car parking improvements.

Council leader Iain Malcolm said: "This is about making sure we have a town centre which is fit for the future, fit for our residents and attractive and exciting for visitors who want to come to South Shields."