Changes to historic South Tyneside brand Barbour's HQ get planning green light
Green light for improvements to home of iconic South Tyneside business Barbour.
Plans for improvement works at the home of historic South Tyneside business Barbour have been given the green light.
South Tyneside Council's planning department has approved an application for works to Barbour House within the Bede Industrial Estate.
The business, founded in 1894, has been making and selling waxed jackets for more than 125 years and has received several Royal Warrants endorsing the product, including from the King himself, when Prince of Wales, in 1987.
In recent years, Barbour has brought forward plans to improve operations at its buildings, including plans for a new warehouse facility.
The project was described as "envelope upgrade works to an existing industrial / office unit which has been occupied by J Barbour & Sons Ltd since August 1989".
It was noted that works included the "over-skinning of the existing profiled metal roof with insulation and the installation of a new outer metal skin" and replacing existing "high-level wall cladding" with "new composite insulated cladding".
Other works included "over-skinning and recladding works" to the "projecting entrance bay to the north elevation which will also see the curtain walling replaced with a more energy efficient system" and replacing "ribbon windows" to the building's east and north elevations .
Plans also included replacement service doors in the east elevation and "windows and widened emergency exit doors in the west and south elevations".
Minor "kerb realignments" were also proposed around a new goods-in delivery bay to "aid with improved turning circles for delivery vehicles to Barbour House and the adjacent factory outlet whilst maintaining access to the storage area / compound of the neighbouring unit".
Those behind the scheme said the "re-skinning and re-cladding works" at Barbour House would "retain the aesthetic" of the existing site, with the colour palette continuing the "long-established Barbour brand."
After considering the planning application, South Tyneside Council's planning department approved it on July 8, 2026.
Council planners said the application would "allow a significant and long-established major employer in the borough to further extend and consolidate their business operations on the Bede Industrial Estate site".
It was noted that the "overriding aim" of the project was to "create a facility that could be accessed easily and safely by all those wishing to use it."
For more information, visit South Tyneside Council's planning portal website and search for reference 260264.