February 6, 2026
South Tyneside Council – Leader Cllr Tracey Dixon tightens the Golden Bolt of the new South Tyneside College
Work to construct the steel frame of a multi-million-pound college development in South Tyneside is almost complete.
It marks a major milestone in the £95m project to relocate South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School into the heart of South Shields town centre.
It is anticipated that the transformational project will bring thousands of people into the town centre, helping to sustain new and existing businesses and acting as a catalyst for further investment and jobs.
The steel frame forms the structural backbone of the new campus, which will span 15,000sqm.
The frame comprises 610 tonnes of steel, made up of around 27,000 individual components.
The steel sections were hoisted and precisely positioned using a 90-tonne mobile crane.
The milestone was marked with the symbolic tightening of a ‘golden bolt’.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
It's exciting to be celebrating progress on this flagship scheme. This is the first real tangible difference - the skyline of South Shields is changing as we see the new campus take shape. But it's not just about bricks and mortar. This is about diversifying the hight street and creating a vibrant, modern learning environment that will inspire future generations and boost our local economy.
The project is a partnership between Tyne Coast College and South Tyneside Council; delivered by award-winning construction company Castle. It is being funded by Tyne Coast College, the North East Combined Authority, South Tyneside Council, Department for Education and UK Government.
Chief Executive of Tyne Coast College, Dr Lindsey Whiterod CBE echoed the leader’s comments:
This is a truly historic moment for South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School. We can now see world-class facilities taking shape in the heart of the town. This investment will transform the way we deliver education, providing our students with an inspiring environment to learn and thrive, while bringing new energy and opportunity to South Shields. We are proud to be working with our partners to turn this ambitious vision into reality.
The erection of the steel frame followed earthworks operations which included significant ground remediation works, removal of former building foundations and basement structures, and excavation of red shale.
Andrew Dawson, managing director of Castle, said:
The completion of the steel frame demonstrates that real progress is being made on the project. Our teams are working at great pace and, as a South Tyneside-based company, we are very proud to be at the forefront of a development that will change the face of South Shields town centre and enhance the career prospects of so many of its residents.
In public consultation carried out by South Tyneside Council, more than 80 percent of people who responded backed the idea of the college relocation, believing it would lead to a livelier town centre.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
Bringing South Tyneside College and the world-renowned Marine School into the town centre will change South Shields for good, because it will mean 9,000 more people every day coming back to King Street and the surrounding streets. That's the key to reviving shops and cafes in the area, creating new jobs and making the town centre a great place to visit once again. That's why we're contributing £18.2m for the new campus which will be a cornerstone for South Shields for decades to come, attracting students from across the North East and the world. It is brilliant to see the college take shape - this is delivery in action, rebuilding pride in our high streets.
The campus’ main building will be accessed on King Street, with a double-height glass atrium behind the reception entrance. A second entrance will be provided along Barrington Street.
Work is expected to begin on the student residence within the coming weeks and the new campus will be ready to welcome students in the September 2027 intake.
