North Tyneside council gets £3.47 million to help restore Whitley Bay’s Spanish City

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn inside the Dome with Chief Executive Patrick Melia (left) and Paul and Kyle Mackings from Kymel Trading. Credit: North Tyneside Council

North Tyneside council has been successful in its bid for £3.47million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help restore Whitley Bay’s Spanish City.

The overall restoration costs are estimated at £10million, and will be supported by more than £4million of investment from the council and a Coastal Communities Fund grant of more than £2.5million.

New plans for the Spanish City, which will see the Dome re-opened as a leisure, wedding and conferencing 'destination' - as described by the council.

The current proposals will see up to five ground floor retail or cafe units to the front of the building facing onto the promenade, including the new Plaza area.

The first floor will also feature a café/restaurant and a large leisure space with sea views towards St Mary’s Lighthouse.

Work is due to start next week on the separate development of a Premier Inn hotel and restaurant next door to the Dome.