‘Not housing’ - South Shields seafront walkers express concerns over the future of a former pub
Walkers along the South Shields seafront have had their say on plans to turn a former pub into housing.
Plans to develop a long-vacant South Shields pub have been criticised by seafront walkers.
South Tyneside Council is set to make a decision on the future of The Water’s Edge on Tuesday, October 20.
It has been recommended that the council’s planning committee approves the plans but walkers at the South Shields seafront have expressed their concerns.
‘Flatten and rebuild’
Mark Lyons, 58, a retired oil and gas engineer, of The Broadway, South Shields, said: “It should be turned over to community use, not housing.
“It could be a café, something for elderly or disabled, or something to do with nature.
“Lots of things could be done with it, even something to do with the history of the area.
“It should not be in private hands and if the only option is housing, then the site should be flattened and left.
“I’m not sure who would want to live down here, a lot of undesirables get in the car park.
“The site is an eyesore – perhaps they should flatten and rebuild.”
‘I think it should be pulled down’
Retired sales manager Steve Smith, 67 of Mowbray Road, South Shields, said: “It would worry me that it could be an HMO, it’s out of the way.
“I think it should be pulled down – it’s an eyesore and whatever they try to do with it won’t work, nothing has ever worked here.
“I was going to buy it as an investment years ago when there were plans for other pubs along here but one burnt down and another didn’t get built.
“Right now, the Water’s Edge looks like it could be about 150 years old. Whatever they do with it, it will be bungled.”
His wife Lynne, 68, a retired professional singer, added: “It is very much an eyesore, it should be knocked down.
“My daughter had her 18th birthday there – she’s now 37 - and it was ok back then, it was alright.
“They should knock it down and turn it to nothing, perhaps a car park.”
‘Something does have to be done’
Married mum Frances Reburn, 34, of the Lawe, South Shields, said: “Ideally, I’d like to see it turned into a café, somewhere those passing could grab a coffee.
“There’s so many dog walkers down here – I think that would be a good idea, or it could even be a restaurant or something to do with nightlife.
“My husband used to go many years ago and he says he has the best memories of when the World Cup was on.
“It’s an eyesore and kids are getting in through the roof, something does have to be done.
“Even if it could be a nice pub, doing nice Sunday lunches, with somewhere for the kids. I’m not keen on it being turned over to housing.”