Ambitious regeneration of Whitley Bay's Northern Promenade set to begin

North Tyneside Council is investing more than £1million on the external renovation of the Rendezvous Café and elements of The Links Gallery Cafe, revamp the public toilets, resurface the Dukes Walk car park and promenade surface, and upgrade the public realm in the areas around the cafes.

The work is expected to be complete by spring 2021.

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE said: “I am absolutely delighted that we’re ready to press ahead with the next stage of the promenade’s transformation.

“The first round of work on the southern section proved hugely popular and has been fantastically well-received by residents and visitors and it has been wonderful to see so many families out and about on the prom enjoying a walk along our beautiful coastline.

“I know many of our residents have been eagerly-awaiting news of when the rest of the promenade will be improved, and it has been a personal ambition of mine for some time, so this really is brilliant news.

“I’m sure that once this phase of work is complete everyone will see the benefits.

"We’re seeing lots of great, new investment in the town on the back of our successful regeneration and it will only add to the popularity and appeal of Whitley Bay as a great place to live, work and visit.”

The first phase of improvements to the promenade, part of the council’s multi-million pound Seafront Master Plan, saw the walkway transformed with bright coloured surfacing and new seating, shelters and railings plus an ice cream and coffee kiosk opened.

As part of the next phase, red tarmac will replace the current paving in front of the Rendezvous café, new pebble seating installed and the edging blocks and railings will be upgraded to match the southern section.

The work to the café is aimed at preserving its character while improving the fabric of the building.

The Dukes Walk car park will be resurfaced, the entrance steps to the Links Art Gallery replaced, the connecting footpaths to the promenade improved and the shelter on the Links opposite Bournemouth Gardens will undergo repairs.

Both the Rendezvous and Links Gallery cafes will remain open throughout the works.

Parking will not be available in the Dukes Walk car park from October 12 and public access will be prevented to the car park and to the promenade in front of the Rendezvous Café.

Tiz Weepers, owner of the Rendezvous Café, said: “The Rendezvous Café has been in our family for more than 50 years and is a big part of Whitley Bay’s history.

“We are really excited about the next phase of the regeneration of the promenade, which will be a big boost for us, and we’re looking forward to many more happy years here. We’d also like to thank all our customers for their continued support over the past few months.”

Also, new facilities will be provided to store beach wheelchairs managed by Beach Access North East.

Sue Rowley, on behalf of the group’s trustees, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the council for including us.

“As Whitley Bay is our main site, having premises indoors will improve the service we can offer.”