A TRADING estate in a deprived part of the North East could be transformed under new plans.
North Tyneside Council is carrying out a consultation on the West Chirton South Industrial Estate, in North Shields, and people are being asked how the area could be improved.
At the moment, almost 14% of commercial units at the site are empty. A large number are old and in a poor condition. Around 11 hectares of the 30-hectare stretch of land has been cleared of buildings or is undeveloped.
Traders and residents hope the estate will be redeveloped and made more attractive.
Jeff Hull, who runs the West Chirton Accident and Repair Centre with Paul Armatage and Ian Martin, feels businesses need more support and incentives to move to the estate.
Mr Hull, 40, said: “This company has been running for about 20 years and we took over the directorship five years ago.
“We have invested a lot into our business. What we don’t want is for a decision to be made to knock down all the industrial units here.
“This is an important centre for employment, we provide jobs and apprenticeships, and are an important part of the community.
“The estate clearly needs improvement. We would like to see the old buildings modernised and made more attractive. This area can thrive if it looked better.
“And there should be better signage from the main roads so that customers know we are here.”
They also said the empty land could be put to good use, for housing or more business units.
Stephen Sneap, who runs an automotive engineers centre, also feels regeneration is needed.
He added: “There have been businesses closing down over the years because there has been a shift in the type of industries we have in the UK. Manufacturers have been struggling. There are more service industries and call centres.
“For many people, the business rates are quite high and it’s difficult to make ends meet.
“We are based on a section of the estate that is quite busy. I would like to see improvements made to the area so that firms can prosper.”
Suggestions have also been made to build new houses on the empty space.
Suggestions have also been made to build new houses on the empty space.
Lisa Briggs, 42, who works as an assistant nursery manager at nearby Childcare Norham, said: “Our nursery is part of the community and we would very much like the industrial estate to be regenerated.”
The estate, off Norham Road is in the Chirton ward, which has the third highest unemployment rate within North Tyneside.
In August, 52 people lost their jobs with the closure of the Recticel Carobel factory on the site.
The council consultation will run until January 3. A draft document containing proposals for the area is expected to be drawn up by early summer.
