Plan unveiled for seafront revamp

Visitor numbers to South Shields beach are expected to increase

Proposals for a 10-year plan to put a North East seafront in the premier league of resorts go before councillors on Tuesday.

Visitor numbers to South Shields are expected almost to double in the next four years, bringing millions of pounds into the local economy.

Plans for tourist attractions focus on the Gypsies Green area and include indoor leisure facilities and a hotel.

Private developers have already expressed an interest.

Iain Malcolm, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, said: "We are suggesting that at least a quarter of Gypsies Green, which is right on the seafront, could be used for a hotel development with the rest of that land being transferred to the National Trust to preserve the open space for future generations.

"We are suggesting there does need to be an indoor leisure facility, but that would be at the commercial end of the foreshore at the pier head.

"I'm confident that by this time next year we will be in a position to unveil some of those developments to the people of South Tyneside."