Seaside town among UK's oldest undergoes £10m makeover to historic outdoor pool – and the plans for area's iconic pub
A HISTORIC seaside town will be given a new lease of life with a waterfront revamp and a pub renovation.
The coastal area, which is one of the UK's oldest settlements, is set to reopen an outdoor swimming pool closed since the '90s.
Advertisement
4
Tynemouth is undergoing a major waterfront revamp as well as a pub renovation
Credit: Getty
4
The 1920s outdoor pool is being renovated following its closure in the mid-1990s
Credit: Friends of Tynemouth
Tynemouth, located just a 23 minute drive from Newcastle, has a population of around 62,880.
The headland area dates back to the Iron Age and the town's history over the centuries is still evident through the local architecture.
In the 1920s, a swimming pool was opened on the town's seafront, adjacent to one of the area's three sandy beaches.
The outdoor lido was a popular spot among locals and tourists over the decades, before eventually closing and falling into disrepair in the mid-1990s.
Advertisement
Read More On Seaside Towns
Now, work is underway to restore the 25 metre pool back to its glory days.
Michael Wood, of the Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool, spoke to the
Once restored, it is expected that to welcome around 50,000 paid-for swims each year.
Additionally, there will be membership schemes, events, and food and drink facilities, making the outdoor pool "a sustainable business".
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
The project is set to cost a total of £10 million, almost double the initial estimate from 2016 due to a rise in construction costs.
Elsewhere, the town's iconic Gibraltar Rock pub is set to undergo its own transformation.
Seaside town
A local favourite, the combined bar and restaurant underwent a "major renovation", reports
Overlooking King Edward's Bay, the venue has been closed since December 2023 for the ambitious remodel.
Advertisement
Patron capacity has almost doubled with new areas of the building opening to the public for the first time, offering even more stunning views.
A spokesperson for the location's new owners MCN Hospitality discussed the summer 2025 opening.
'The Gibraltar Rock is an iconic hospitality venue with spectacular views of Tynemouth," they said.
'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp
By Nicole Cherruault
A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp.
The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the
More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers.
Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports
The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy.
Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities.
And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners.
This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements.
The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year.
However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas.
He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council.
'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre.
'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.'
Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community.
In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles.
He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community.
'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community.
'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.'
"It is a great opportunity for us to restore an old business and bring it back to life with a new concept and join the already busy Tynemouth hospitality scene.
Advertisement
They detailed plans to open a restaurant and dining area upstairs, knocking down walls at the rear of the building to provide "Tynemouth's newest and best panoramic views of Kind Edwards Bay".
'Downstairs will be an informal bar and dining area; you can expect pub classics and light meals, drinks, cocktails, and real ales with a modern contemporary vibe.
"The renovation downstairs will also include bi-folding doors leading out to our new outdoor seating area at the side and the rear overlooking The Priory."
The Gibraltar Rock is one of many eateries in the area, while there is also a variety of
Advertisement
Visitors choose from countless activities, including Tynemouth Makets, the Priory and Castle, and the local aquarium.
4
Tynemouth has three sandy beaches as well as a wide variety of pubs, shops, and hotels
Credit: Getty
4
The Gibraltar Rock is set to reopen in summer 2025 with improved views of the bay area
Credit: Facebook/thegibrock
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
UK's 2nd longest pier to finally reopen in £600bn cash injection boosting Victorian seaside town's economy
AN HISTORIC pier at a popular seaside town is set to reopen following a £600 billion cash injection. After closing in 2022, Southport Pier could be revived after the government promised to prioritise local developments projects in its Spending Review. 4 Southport Pier is set to reopen following a recent government announcement Credit: Getty 4 4 The pier has been closed since 2022 after adverse weather caused damage Credit: Getty 4 It's part of a £600 billion country-wide development project Credit: Getty Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the review on June 11, which included a £600 billion cash injection to support the country's infrastructure. This cash injection aims to expedite a range of locally-significant development projects, including Southport Pier. It clarifies how day-to-day expenditure will be used in the country, as well as capital spending on transport, schools, community assets and hospitals. In a speech at the Houses of Parliament, Chancellor Reeves said: "I know the pride that people feel in their communities. I see it everywhere I go, but I also know that for too many people, there is a sense that something has been lost." Read more Travel She cited the death of the high street as one of the problems facing British towns, alongside a decline in community spaces, jobs and opportunities. The Spending Review aims to solve some of these problems as Reeves added: "Job creation and community assets are vital to our growth mission, but too often, regeneration projects are held back, gathering dust in bureaucratic limbo. We are changing that." During the speech, she named Southport Pier as just one of the projects that could benefit. The government hopes that reopening the pier, which has been shut since 2022, could create jobs and new business opportunities in the local area. Most read in News Travel Sefton Council closed the Trendy English seaside town has rooftop bar that 'feels like the Med' Southport locals were excited at the prospect of a revival of such a culturally significant site for the town. Local MP Patrick Hurley said: "We've got a commitment from the Chancellor at the dispatch box to support the project. What that support means, in concrete and practical terms, is that there's going to be funding made available to make sure that the pier can be reopened." Hurley announced that by the end of summer they would have a better understanding of the exact funding, as well as the concrete proposals and timescales that would enable the pier to reopen. Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, expressed his support for During a meeting at Lancaster House, Mr Rotheram said that Mayor Rotheram said: "This hasn't happened by chance. It's the result of tireless work by people who've never stopped fighting for the town's future." He credited Councillor Marion Atkinson and MP Hurley as being integral to the project's success, as well as the enthusiasm of Southport locals. In addition to being Britain's second longest pier, Southport Pier also has an important history. First opened in 1860, it has hosted famous performers like Charlie Chaplin. A restoration project between 2000 and 2002 helped to revive the pier and boost the local tourism industry before it closed in 2022.
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Major change to ID rules on cigarettes & vapes sparks fears hundreds of shops across UK will be forced to close
HUNDREDS of retailers fear they could go out of business over enforcing age bans on smoking and vape sales. Campaigning shopkeeper Paul Cheema says new laws could be the "final straw" as they deal with aggressive customers when asked for identification. Advertisement 5 Disposable vaping devices are seen for sale in a shop on May 30, 2023 in Manchester, England Credit: Getty 5 Campaigning shopkeeper Paul Cheema Credit: ACS / Association of Convenience Stores 5 Boy holding vapes Credit: Getty The move comes after the hard-pressed firms are already dealing with a hike in rising business rates and feel shoplifting in their stores is going unpunished. He has joined forces with 700 fellow shopkeepers amid fears asking for ID could lead to more violence in the shops. On-the-spot fines of £200 will be handed out by trading standards inspectors for selling tobacco, vape and nicotine products to underage customers. Anyone born after January 1, 2009 will not be able to buy tobacco as Ministers aim for the first smoke-free generation. Advertisement read more in uk news The retailers have written to Business Secretary Mr Cheema said: "The proposed laws will do nothing to stop the illicit trade, but will put us in the firing line when enforcement falls on shop staff. It'll be the final straw. "We all want to protect young people from smoking. "But badly thought-through laws won't do that – they'll just drive more sales underground, where nobody checks ID. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest "We're not asking for handouts. We're asking to be heard. The government is piling pressure on our sector from every direction:" "I've seen the government move mountains to protect 2,700 jobs in the steel industry – and rightly so. Police raid largest spice vapes operation after kids were left hospitalised "But there are 445,000 jobs in UK convenience stores, and we're being ignored." "Local shops like mine are part of the fabric of British life. We're open early, open late, and we're there for people when no one else is. Advertisement "But there comes a point where enough is enough." There are also fears that adults will go to illicit stores to buy tobacco which will reduce the income for smaller stores. Tobacco sales account for 15 per cent of the sales with six million people who see smoking as a way of life. A government spokesperson said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our high streets, and our Plan for Change will help ensure they thrive. Advertisement "We're taking tough action on shoplifters, and worked with retailers to help them get ready for the ban on single use vapes.' 5 Recycling electronic cigarettes. Vapor sticks, e-cigarettes on light background. Credit: Getty 5 A woman poses for a photograph holding a single-use vape Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Shambles' rent reforms move blasted as Govt accused of ‘making it up as they go along' amid landlord price hike fears
THE Government's rent reforms have again come under heavy fire after no Dail time was scheduled for the emergency legislation next week. The decision, which was heavily blasted, was made despite claims that landlords will jack up prices before the regulations change. 2 The Government has been accused of 'making it up as they go along' Credit: Getty Images - Getty Part of the plan will see the two per cent cap on However, there are fears that landlords in the 11 counties that are currently not designated rent pressure zones will pump up their prices before the Following this criticism, the Government announced that they were introducing the new rent reforms in two separate pieces of legislation with the rent pressure zone extension to be dealt with in an emergency bill as soon as possible. READ MORE IN NEWS Coalition leaders denied claims that they were caught out by the blunder with Tanaiste However, the Labour housing spokesman Conor Sheehan claimed the Government were 'making it up as they go along' with rental reforms that he labelled 'a shambles.' He said: 'It's crazy that in an effort to calm the horses the Tánaiste was clearly making it up as he went along to avoid the ire of the Opposition. Most read in Irish News 'Well, I have news for him and for the Housing Minister, their disastrous treatment of renters will not be forgotten for a very long time.' Sinn Fein chief whip Padraig MacLochlainn said: 'The failure to include legislation for next week's Dail business demonstrates once again the shambles at the heart of the government's housing policy.' Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin reacts to record number of homeless people Housing Minister James Browne today defended his rental reforms and claimed that 'there were a few moving parts' to the legislation. He said: 'There's always going to be a challenge around the complexity of doing anything like this, there's no one size fits all to bring a solution to this kind of complex situation.' The Irish Property Owners Association today also took aim at the Government rental reforms as they claimed the changes could hit house prices and damage tourism. The IPOA also claimed that landlords who currently have vacant properties are enticed to keep their property empty until the new changes kick in on March 1 next year when they will be able to rise their rents to market level. 2 The Government's big rental reform strategy was launched this week Credit: Getty Images - Getty
