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Tourism worth £200m to South Tyneside
TOURIST DRAW ... Joe McElderry's Bents Park concert was among the events which helped generate more than �200m for South Tyneside's tourist industry.
TOURISM is worth more than £200m a year to South Tyneside’s economy, latest statistics reveal.
In addition to maintaining and creating more than 3,000 jobs in the borough, tourism helped generate £211.63m for the local economy over the last financial year.
Next week, members of South Tyneside Council’s full council will look back at the success of culture events held last summer, and ahead to plans for the coming year.
The South Tyneside Summer Festival again enjoyed another highly successful year, members will be told.
More than 35,000 people were attracted to three concerts in Bents Park, South Shields, in July, featuring local lad Joe McElderry, singer Sophie Ellis Bextor and bands Dodgy and the Lightning Seeds.
Tommy’s Parties at the town’s amphitheatre brought in another 3,500 visitors at appearances throughout August.
And this year’s Great North Run, a concert by pop legends Squeeze at the town’s Gypsies Green Stadium and X-Factor winners Little Mix’s appearance at the Temple Park Centre are also highlighted as notable successes.
In a report to be presented to the committee by Coun Michael Clare, the council’s lead member for regeneration, economic growth and jobs, says: “Statistics on tourism visitors are published a year in arrears.
“Figures for 2010 have now been published, and show that the borough attracted 5.24m visits and that tourism was worth £211.63m to the local economy, supporting 3,136 jobs.
“In recognition of the important role of tourism and culture in developing the economy, the council and its partners will develop a further programmes of events during 2012.
“New cultural developments include development of public art on the tower of Souter Lighthouse.
“The council, working with the National Trust and the Customs House, will look to progress this scheme in 2012.
“South Shields foreshore continues to see construction on a world-class new leisure facility at Pier Parade. This adds another attraction to the foreshore, continuing to make it an exceptional place to visit.”
Meanwhile, South Tyneside has received cash from the Big Lottery Fund to create outdoor places for children and improve existing ones.
Last year was a busy year for the scheme, with play areas completed in Dacre Street North and South, Devonshire Street, Cleadon Park, Galsworthy Road, West Harton, Holborn and Readhead Park, South Shields.
Regenerating Hebburn Town Centre, including the imminent demolition of Exeter Court, will also be discussed at the meeting.
Coun Clare added: “This year will see high priority given to boosting existing retail and new opportunities in the town centre.
“Potential early development sites have been identified at Wouldhave House in South Shields – which will be demolished in the next financial year – and in Barrington Street.”
The council is to meet from 3pm next Thursday in the council chamber at South Shields Town Hall.
The public are welcome.
paul.kelly@northeast-press.co.uk
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
marcussmod
Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 05:05 PMBlackpools gross income from tourism in 55o million per year. I checked this online. I find the 200m estimate for South Tyneside a tad high.
wasthatthatguy
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 04:53 PMBoldonLad :- I think it will be very good for the owners of the businesses you refer to. Quite good for the people who work for them. But no good for me, because I don't go to any of the events.
geordie999
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:42 AMthose grumpy moaners clampet , would that be those council taxpayers who put the cash up so so many from afar can have a good time ?..while we pick up the bill then we have to be pleased that local economy gets a 200 mill bonus will our council tax bills now be reduced as a result of this money ....i doubt it ....in any gamble that pays off ..you expect to pick up the winnings ....where is ours ?
clampet
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 08:44 AMgood comment boldon lad. I happen to think the council deserve a lot of credit for providing free entertainment year after year. I also think he sea front is fantastic. we should be praising the area not continually running it and the council down like the majority of the regular grumpy moaners who frequent the comment boxes.
marco1234
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 05:58 PMThis is a very good thing indeed. With all the recent improvements to South Shields it is a very attractive place to viisit. The seafront is now very enjoyable place to spend time,and Ocean Road goes from strength to strength with the quality of fine restaurants, looking forward to the improvements to the streetscape in Ocean Road this year.
BoldonLad
Friday, January 13, 2012 at 01:58 PMThe money goes wherever the "tourists" spend it, ie Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, Restaurants, pubs, fish and chip kiosks, fairground etc etc. Some sticks to the councils fingers, eg car parks etc. These businesses, then employ people, a good thing. All the more reason why the changes to the way in which business rates are distributed (see elsewhere in the Gazette) is a good thing. The harder the council tries to make business successful, the more rates income they will receive, the more people get jobs, a good thing all round don't you think?
wasthatthatguy
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:49 PMSusan5 :- I think the money will be going into the tills at various pubs and restaurants etc in South Shields. And, Council Tax payers will be paying the cost of the bands regardless of whether or not they go and see them!
geordie999
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 07:22 PMsomeone could do a lot with that money , new bt building , ,housing estate, speed bumps and maybe even a new suit .
sless
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 05:44 PMinto the town hall to fill the troughs for the councillors to feed out of
susan5
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 05:32 PMCAN ANYONE TELL ME WHO OR WERE THIS MONEY GOES?
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