Seaside town among UK's oldest undergoes £10m makeover to historic outdoor pool – and the plans for area's iconic pub

The Sun

21-05-2025

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.
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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.
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 BBC about the pool's reopening, describing it as a local "gem".
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".
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 Chronicle Live.
Overlooking King Edward's Bay, the venue has been closed since December 2023 for the ambitious remodel.
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 council launches a multi-million pound"vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind".
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 Manchester Evening News.
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.
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 accommodation options available, with rooms from just £65 per night.
Visitors choose from countless activities, including Tynemouth Makets, the Priory and Castle, and the local aquarium.
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