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South Tyneside Council is forging ahead with plans to clear a key site as part of its multi-million pound regeneration of South Shields and the Riverside.

Members of the Council's Cabinet are next week (Wednesday 1^st February) set to agree the demolition of Wouldhave House in the Market Place and once the land is cleared, attract a developer to build a high quality mixed use development on the site.

As part of the demolition plans, the Council has already acquired the Commando and Brigatine public houses and other businesses on the ground floor. Negotiations are ongoing with the remaining tenant Ladbrokes.

The whole area will be vacated by late September and demolition is expected by the end of the year. The demolition contractor will be required to recycle as much material as possible.

Welcoming the report, Councillor Michael Clare, Lead Member Regeneration, Economic Growth and Jobs said: "By pushing ahead with the clearance of the Wouldhave building we are demonstrating our total commitment to the transformation plans and the ongoing economic prosperity of the Borough.

"We have always said we would do this. Wouldhave is a blot on the landscape, and I'm sure people will be very pleased that this building will finally be coming down. Once the site is cleared, it will provide an opportunity for an attractive new commercial and leisure development. Not only will this improve views of the river, it will also connect our town centre to the new riverside park, breathing new life into the market place."

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