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Dome could be back in business
Whitley Bay's Spanish City Dome seafront looks set to become a major tourist attraction once again.
Two companies have expressed an interest in bringing the Grade II-listed building, celebrating its centenary this month, back into use.
Which of them gets the go-ahead is expected to be decided before the year is out, and work on the redevelopment of the iconic seafront building could begin as soon as next year.
North Tyneside Council officers revealed the interest in the dome at a packed Whitley Bay Area Forum meeting on Tuesday.
They say they hope to have a preferred developer in place by Christmas, with a view to work starting next year.
Paul Gowans, pictured, the council's head of cultural services, said the plans contained proposals for new attractions and places to eat.
Work has been carried out by the council to save the 100-year-old dome, making it watertight and windproof and giving it a new coat of paint.
The two dancing girls on its roof have also been restored and put back in place.
It was that restoration work that sparked the interest in the dome.
Mr Gowans told the meeting, held at Whitley Bay Playhouse: "We now have two exciting proposals for the redevelopment of the dome and Spanish City site.
"They will be subject to detailed investigations, but we hope to have a preferred developer by December and can move it forward next year.
"These proposals contain different mixes of the things you want to see in the dome and surrounding area, adding value to the tourism offer, where to eat and where to go when it's wet."
To mark the dome's centenary, it will be reopened for four days as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme. It will be open from next Thursday until Sunday, September 12, and townsfolk and visitors are invited to have a look around the building and at two exhibitions being held there.
Mr Gowans revealed that people were still flocking to Whitley Bay, with more than 80,000 visitors recorded at St Mary's Island last year and 71,000 customers at the Playhouse since it opened.
To build on that interest, the council is now considering what can be added at St Mary's Island and the potential for an attraction at the headland.
"Tourism in North Tyneside supports 3,500 jobs, in Whitley Bay there are 1,500 jobs, with 245m generated by six million visits," said Mr Gowans.
"That's what we're working for – to sustain and grow with our partners.
"Whitley Bay is changing for the better, but we know there is more to do."
Other forthcoming projects include a water feature at Whitley Park, 150,000 being spent in the each of the next two years on the coastal recovery plan, improved toilet facilities, lighting for the cenotaph and 21 beach huts being built on the promenade.
Mr Gowans said there is now a lot of business confidence in the town, with the former Co-op building having been sold and interest expressed in the old T&G Allan shop.
The number of empty commercial units has been slashed from 55 last September to just over 40, he added.
About 350 residents attended the meeting, and most appeared happy about what was being proposed, although there were concerns over parking and the town still being a favourite destination for stag and hen parties.
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
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