Whitley bay pubs bought by council and set to be demolished

Two Whitley Bay pubs are set to be demolished as part of regeneration efforts for the town after being bought by North Tyneside Council.

At a meeting of the authority’s mayor and cabinet on Monday night it was confirmed that the former Avenue and the Whiskey Bends pubs, which have been closed and empty for a number of years, will be razed.

A related deal to buy Whitley Bay’s vacant High Point Hotel and negotiations to buy the old Wallsed Police Station, were also unveiled.

“I am delighted that North Tyneside Council can kick start the next phase of regeneration in both Whitley Bay and Wallsend through these landmark property agreements,” said North Tyneside elected mayor Norma Redfearn, pictured with chief executive Patrick Melia outside the High Point Hotel.

“I know the people in both Whitley Bay and Wallsend have been so frustrated at the delays they have had to suffer over many years and so I hope they will be delighted that they will eventually be able to see some real progress.

“Therefore we are pleased to be able to confirm that we have now taken ownership of three properties on Whitley Bay seafront and have a contract with the former owners to demolish the buildings in an agreed time limit. These are the former Avenue Public House including 1 Brook Street Gardens, the former Whisky Bends Public House and the former High Point Hotel. The Council has also taken ownership of a further property at 2 Eastcliffe.

“And with the Cabinet’s agreement officers will now also confirm the legal contracts with the current owner of the former Wallsend Police Station in a package that will enable the Council’s former civic and administrative centre to be earmarked as a business centre promoting serviced office accommodation, and free up other town centre land for affordable housing.”