'It seems to be thriving' - 350 new businesses set up in South Shields
“It’s been a hard journey and I recognise that a lot of people struggled”
Figures released suggest that South Shields is attracting new businesses. More than 350 companies were registered in the town during the 12 months to August 2026.
According to the figures, analysed from Companies House data, construction was the largest category accounting for 70 new registrations over the year, while engineering and architecture accounted for a further 23.
Entrepreneurial activity looks set to increase in importance as South Shields undergoes wider regeneration. The relocation of South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School into a new town centre campus is already driving investment, while the wider high-street programme aims to bring more activity into the town.
The North East Combined Authority has committed £18 million towards the college relocation and associated town-centre regeneration.
New developments need tradespeople, professional services, maintenance providers, technology businesses, suppliers and other specialist firms. As more people work, study and spend time in the town centre, there should also be greater demand for independent retailers and service businesses.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly accessible to smaller businesses, allowing them to automate administrative processes, improve customer communications and analyse information without necessarily having the resources of a large corporation.
However, technology is unlikely to replace the importance of reputation and local relationships.
One successful South Shields firm is tree surgeon and arborist specialists The Tree Fella, which now employs eight people and is marking 10 years in business. Company founder Simon Forster is full of praise for the business community.
He told the Gazette: “It’s been a hard journey and I recognise that a lot of people struggled across that period of time building a business. It’s a challenge for that business person and their family.
“But I’m always inspired by other local businesses. I see well-known names like Colman’s and Hays Travel, names that are synonymous with the area and that’s always an inspiration.
“These people have got there and I can get there too. We’ve just got to keep plugging away.
“It seems to be thriving. Tyne & Wear Heating is another good example of someone who’s built a business over the same time period.
“In South Shields we have this local recognition of some really good businesses here. There are a lot of businesses who recognise each other when they’re driving around. We wave at each other.”