Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed to develop the £260 million Gateshead Quays scheme.

The development of an events destination will see the creation of around 2,000 new jobs and boost the local economy by £60m.

The plans were submitted by Gateshead Council's development partner Ask:PATRIZIA, who appointed Sir Robert McAlpine to build the 54,500 sqm scheme. Site enabling work will start before the end of the year with construction expected to commence in March 2021 and the new complex will open late 2023. An announcement on the hotel operator is expected to be made in the coming weeks.

Leading venue management company, ASM Global will operate the campus, which includes a 12,500 capacity, 29,000 sqm arena and over 7,000 sqm of flexible event space. It will host first class entertainment and sports alongside international conferences, meetings and exhibitions as well as festivals and cultural events.

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Councillor Martin Gannon, Gateshead Council Leader said: "We've wanted to revitalise this key site for a long time. Our long-term aspiration has always been to bring internationally recognisable facilities of this scale to not just Gateshead but the entire region.

"This project is transformational, and today's decision signals confidence in the North East. Newcastle Gateshead Quays will be a global leader in entertainment, leisure, and hospitality but most importantly it is about creating new employment and training opportunities for thousands at a time when they are badly needed. Despite the current challenges, we need to remember the worth of the events industry. We look forward to opening the venue late 2023."

Speaking on behalf of the Ask:PATRIZIA partnership John Hughes, Managing Director of Ask Real Estate said: "We have worked closely with the Council and the wider stakeholders to ensure this regeneration scheme delivers maximum benefit to the wider region and will put this iconic waterfront on the map internationally. We have brought together a world-class team of designers, architects and operators to deliver this scheme which will be one of Europe's key cultural locations. We look forward to now starting construction work and bringing these superb public facilities to life."