Dazzling new shipping container village to be built in South Shields town centre - 'Jacks Yard' will create 35 jobs

The project will redevelop the outdoor drinking terrace of the Clover & Wolf, off Brigham Place, transforming the site into a two-storey shipping container village as part of a bid to revitalise the area.

The development, which will be called ‘Jacks Yard’, will feature a central courtyard, retail units and a food and drink unit on the ground floor and a drinks servery/dining area on the first floor balcony.

Developers plan to use the space to host occasional ‘pop up’ events – from sporting events to family activities and fun days.

According to planning documents, the hub would also create 35 jobs with 10 full-time roles and 25 part-time positions.

To make way for the development, the existing terraced area at the Clover & Wolf will be demolished and levelled out.

New artwork is also planned for the shipping containers alongside festoon and accent lighting to help “enliven and enhance the yard at night.”

Planners said the shipping container village would bring benefits to the evening economy, noting that the units aimed at smaller independent retailers would “complement the larger units” in the town centre.

A Design and Access statement from developers says Jacks Yard represents a “progressive step in supporting the vitality of the town centre.”

It reads: “Many city centre and coastal resorts up and down the country are embracing the successful contribution made by shipping container developments.

“This development will allow the opportunity to offer affordable start-up units for new local businesses.

“This will support the growth of the high street and address the need for response to the rapid change in the retail and leisure sector as identified in the National Planning Policy Framework.

“The proposed change of use of this site is an opportunity to establish a vibrant business and entertainment hub [and] through job creation and engaging with local businesses, this venue will bring vitality and appeal to the local community and attract new visitors to South Shields.

"Following consultation, South Tyneside Council approved the plans on Friday, September 18.

The council’s spatial policy team added there would be no conflict with policies due to the “small-scale” of the development and its close proximity to the town centre.

In addition, no objections were received from Northumbria Police or the council’s regeneration, environmental health or highways officers.

The council ruling means the development will be in place for at least 15 years.

Licensing hours and advertising consent matters will need to be agreed separately through consultation with South Tyneside Council.

The development will take shape over the road from the site of the new Jobcentre building, which is to be built on the land formerly occupied by the Mile End Road multi-storey car park and business units.

It is also only a short distance from the Nexus Learning Centre constructed on land between Mile End Road and Salem Street.

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