North East mayor gives South Tyneside seal of approval to under fire £95m project
The South Tyneside College project is facing financial scrutiny - but the site has earned a mayoral seal of approval.
A major new-build college project in South Tyneside facing financial scrutiny has been given the seal of approval from a prominent politician whose office backed it to the tune of £18m.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness toured the site of South Tyneside College’s (STC) £95m campus in South Shields town centre and declared it would be “incredible for learners.”
Her view was supported by education chief Dr Lindsey Whiterod CBE, chief executive of Tyne Coast College, which operates STC and South Shields Marine School, which is also moving to the location.
The scheme is set for completion in September 2027
Dr Whiterod insisted the scheme, set for completion by September next year, would boost learning, support the government's better skills agenda and help regenerate the town centre.
Also present was Cllr Karen Pittuck, South Tyneside Council’s Lead Member for Highways, Community Safety and Neighbourhoods, and business representatives.
The mayor’s visit came a month after the Department for Education (DfE) announced it had found weaknesses in the oversight and governance of the development.
It told college bosses to improve their management and ordered its watchdog, the Further Education Commissioner (FEC), to investigate.
The FEC has issued them with a Financial Notice to Improve, though Tyne Coast College has stressed the project is not at risk and that it will work to strengthen oversight and delivery arrangements.
‘Incredible for learners’
Ms McGuiness said: “Local people across the region are tired of seeing their high streets dry up, businesses close down, only to be replaced by vape shops, so we’re stepping in to turn things around.
“South Tyneside College’s new campus on the high street will be incredible for learners, but it’ll also bring thousands of students, staff and visitors into South Shields town centre every single week.
“It means a thriving town centre, that supports jobs for local people and that’s why it was an important project for me to drive forward.
“We’re absolutely bursting with pride in our region and I want to bring that back to our high streets.”
Dr Whiterod CBE said it was a pleasure to have showcased the progress being made.
New campus will ‘transform opportunities’
She added: “Having local businesses and council colleagues with us also reflected the strength of partnership behind this investment and the shared ambition for South Shields.
“This new campus will transform opportunities for our learners, support employers with the skills they need, and play a major role in the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.”
Cllr Pittuck said: “It was great to see first-hand the progress being made on this impressive new campus.
“This is such an important development for our town centre, not just in terms of education, skills and training, but in how it will improve the look and feel of the area and bring new life into our high street.
“As cabinet member for neighbourhoods, I’m particularly pleased to see how this investment is reshaping a key part of the town, boosting footfall and helping to support local businesses.
“It’s an exciting step forward in our wider ambitions to create a more vibrant, welcoming place for residents, students and visitors.”
STC’s current campus at Westoe, South Shields, is to be redeveloped for housing.