A project to rejuvenate South Shields town centre has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of a contractor to oversee the relocation of South Tyneside College.

The move will see both South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School shift from their current Westoe site to a new location in the heart of the town.

Castle, a Hebburn-based construction firm, has been selected to build the new 15,000-square-metre campus following a competitive tender process. The firm has been appointed on a pre-construction services agreement, with construction work expected to begin in the summer.

Over the coming months, Castle will finalise detailed designs for the campus and carry out necessary preparatory works on the site. The project has already received planning permission, and demolition works have been completed to ready the site for development.

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This relocation is a key part of the broader vision to transform South Shields town centre, creating a vibrant educational and community hub. The new campus is expected to bring significant economic and social benefits to the area, further boosting South Shields’ development as a modern and thriving town.

Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: "We're delighted to welcome Castle on board. They have a proven track record of successfully delivering on projects such as this.

"As a local firm, their appointment will create jobs and boost the borough's economy.

"Momentum is building on this project now and people will start to see some activity on site over the coming weeks.

"Our regeneration ambitions are focused on diversifying the town centre and boosting footfall. This development is going to bring in thousands of additional people and a new sense of vitality.

"We, and our partners at the college, are going to create a modern campus fit for the future, giving young people from across South Tyneside and beyond the skills they need to access jobs in leading industries such as the green economy."