Plans to bulldoze South Shields Job Centre and rehouse it in new eco-friendly building in next stage of 365 project

The scheme would see the Job Centre Plus branch in Barrington Street demolished, and rehoused in a 12,000 sq ft “quality office building” in Mile End Road.

Council chiefs say the proposals would free up land in a key development area for the next stage of the 365 vision for the South Shields town centre.

Phase Three of the scheme will bring “an exciting retail and leisure offer with improved connectivity, pedestrian access and public open space to benefit both the town and the community”, say developers.

David Wells, regional director at Muse Developments, which is working with South Tyneside Council on 365, said the Job Centre relocation would build on the success of the new transport interchange in Keppel Street.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in South Shields as we put forward planning for the next stage of the development, which will complement what has been delivered so far, and open the door to future opportunities to further create a real vibrancy in the town centre," he said.

“Working collaboratively and progressively with our partners at South Tyneside Council, we’re able to deliver at pace to bring forward transformational regeneration that will benefit both the town and the community for years to come.”

The new eco-friendly building in Mile End Road would become home to 65 DWP employees, bringing over a range of services to help people of working age find work, claim benefits, as well as specialist support for those with disabilities.

Should the scheme receive planning consent, work is expected to begin on the site by the autumn and take 12 months to complete.

The £100million 365 regeneration masterplan is being delivered through a “close collaboration” between Muse and South Tyneside Council.

The wider scheme has already delivered The Word – the award-winning National Centre for the Written Word – and the £21million state-of-the-art South Shields interchange, which has brought together the town’s Metro and bus station.