Spanish City, Whitley Bay redevelopment - behind the scenes

Robertson is bringing about the regeneration of the iconic Spanish City in Whitley Bay. As well as developing a new Premier Inn and restaurant in the area, we will return the landmark Dome itself to its former glory.
Tall, decorative tops and cupolas will be rebuilt to the 1910 design, using historical images and drawings as reference, while shopfronts, doors and windows will be reinstated in keeping with the look of the Edwardian Grade II listed building.
The Dome’s original features will be reinstated on the promenade elevation, with repairs to the first floor corridors, which are located either side of a three-storey central block supporting the rotunda. The corridors will be enclosed with glass so that they can be used all year around. Robertson Specialist Division will apply external wall insulation and a white Sto render finish to return the Dome's appearance to its former glory.
Working with the local authority, we have created an ambitious community engagement plan, which will involve all sectors of the local community as well as supporting local businesses and providing job opportunities for local people.
It is due for completion in March 2018

[@hirundine44]

Played in there in 1950's the amusement park part... my great-aunts lived across from rollercoaster; Granny on Marden Road. Spent a fair time in the town then... some whimsey there!

[@garyfox8701]

Spanish City to me: 1980s was the Ghost Train and the Roller Coaster, 1990s was the boy racers who used to zip along the front every weekend, 2000's was the Hairy Lemon and 42nd Street, 2010's was the Fire Station... and this year I got a bag of chips from the newly developed 'Spanish City' and paid £15 for fish and chips. A long way from "going crazy on the waltzers".

[@sfullernj]

Have they still got a waltzer?

[@garyfox8701]

@@sfullernj The fun fair closed down in the mid 90s... no more waltzers.

[@sfullernj]

@@garyfox8701 I went there in 2000 and it was there

[@garyfox8701]

I'm going to need photographic evidence I'm afraid.

[@sfullernj]

@@garyfox8701 well I cannot give you that. But I can tell you it was clearly on its last legs. No one was in the fair ground (other than me and my sister) and it was the school holidays

[@braddazztravels6004]

Looks better already after a re-coat of paint. Looking forward to the completion of the project.

[@sfullernj]

What new rides are they building?

[@Ayns.L14A]

It'll be interesting to see if this brings the thousands of holiday makers who used to visit Whitley for the Amusements, the beach and the banging nightlife back..... I doubt it, but that's OK the residents/council have what they wanted a quiet peaceful sleepy town that no one visits for longer than a day.

[@sfullernj]

As long as the rides return, I will

[@itzmiiggy3136]

I honestly remember being at school (the school across the road where the fair was) and when they finally raised up the flag you knew it was finished.

[@sfullernj]

Is the ghost train still there?

[@allanaxe6781]

Tunnel of love...

[@sfullernj]

What new rides will it have?

[@bakkibuzzz7456]

Took 18weeks to build but 10years fora lick a paint