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35K views 165 replies 13 participants last post by  Ken O'Heed 
#1 ·
Follow to last post of 10/01/13 showing demolition work in progress and building scheduled to be removed here are some pictures taken by myself 20/01/13 approx 1015 showing ongoing work by Owen Pugh (Contracts) Ltd showing protection to adjacent building and state of site area (hosted on Photobucket)









NB Also posted into in South Shields, Jarrow, Hebburn thread

KEN
 
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#2 ·
Published on Friday 1 February 2013 19:04

A MULTI-MILLION ‘masterplan’ for South Shields town centre moved a step closer today.

The company tasked with flattening Wouldhave House in South Shields Market Place, Northumberland-based Owen Pugh Contracts, will be handed the keys to the building before Monday, February 11.

It is anticipated demolition work will take 14 weeks and flattening the 1960s-style building is seen as a key element in the £100m regeneration plan for the town centre.

Read more: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/eyesore-is-just-weeks-from-demolition-1-5376210
 
#3 ·
While the demolition of the Brigantine and Wouldhave House is splendid news, it's not like that will end South Shields' stock of shabby, low quality buildings (the north side of the market square doesn't seem to be going anywhere). What's more, many of the attractive, or at least potentially attractive, buildings are rather neglected (last time I looked, the Bonmarche building next to the Metro had pigeons living in it; other attractive stone and brick facades are cheaply painted over, etc.)

I didn't see anything in the masterplan about smartening up the remaining stock of buildings through sandblasting, repainting, recladding, etc. Nor is there any mention of improving the paving of the pedestrian area, street furniture, lighting concepts, etc., all of which would contribute substantially to improving the atmosphere in SS. Did I miss something?
 
#4 ·
While the demolition of the Brigantine and Wouldhave House is splendid news, it's not like that will end South Shields' stock of shabby, low quality buildings (the north side of the market square doesn't seem to be going anywhere). What's more, many of the attractive, or at least potentially attractive, buildings are rather neglected (last time I looked, the Bonmarche building next to the Metro had pigeons living in it; other attractive stone and brick facades are cheaply painted over, etc.)

I didn't see anything in the masterplan about smartening up the remaining stock of buildings through sandblasting, repainting, recladding, etc. Nor is there any mention of improving the paving of the pedestrian area, street furniture, lighting concepts, etc., all of which would contribute substantially to improving the atmosphere in SS. Did I miss something?
This is from the vision document:

The traditional retail heart of the centre remains King Street/Ocean Road. This is a pedestrianised linear shopping parade running from Market Square to Ocean Road and provides a variety of retail units of varying sizes which accommodate a range of operators including high street brands such as Marks & Spencer, HMV, Greenwoods, Mothercare and Clarks Shoes as well as a range of independent shops.

However, while many of the units are attractive and well appointed 19th Century/early 20th Century three storey buildings, the ground floor shop unit size and layout, together with rental levels would appear to be unattractive to many national operators who have strict requirements in terms of unit size and layout and rental levels. There would also appear to be little use of upper floors. Meeting modern retailing requirements by providing new development opportunities through site assembly and by working with the private sector will help achieve our long term aims of a sustainable and thriving centre.

The main secondary shopping area is Fowler Street which serves as a key route into the Town Centre for buses. While the northern end of the street
adjacent to the Town Centre has some attractive buildings, much of the rest of the street is of very low environmental quality with terraces of converted and extended retail properties.

A rationalisation and remodelling of part of Fowler Street will improve this gateway into the town and will provide better integration with new development opportunities. To the rear of Fowler Street (east) are areas of surface car parking and some vacant sites/disused buildings together with some retail/trade showroom uses. Again the rationalisation of some of these uses together with selected acquisitions would provide new private sector development opportunities which would link in with the heart of the Town Centre.
They know there's a problem with the existing retail stock and upper floors.
 
#5 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins

This article from BBC News 13/02/13:-

Extracts

A £100m redevelopment of a seaside town in the North East is under way.

The revamp of South Shields is expected to take 10 years to complete and will boast a new hotel, shops, library and leisure facilities.

South Tyneside Council said the start of the project was being marked with the demolition of 1960s eyesore Wouldhave House.

The plan, called South Shields 356, also includes a new cinema and cultural centre.

The bulldozing of Wouldhave House and redevelopment of the site will take three months
and badly located in article including two new buildings, a library and rooftop restaurant.

Full story on http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-21439840

KEN
 
#6 ·
This article from BBC News 13/02/13:-

Extracts

A £100m redevelopment of a seaside town in the North East is under way.

The revamp of South Shields is expected to take 10 years to complete and will boast a new hotel, shops, library and leisure facilities.

South Tyneside Council said the start of the project was being marked with the demolition of 1960s eyesore Wouldhave House.

The plan, called South Shields 356, also includes a new cinema and cultural centre.

The bulldozing of Wouldhave House and redevelopment of the site will take three months
and badly located in article including two new buildings, a library and rooftop restaurant.

Full story on http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-21439840

KEN

VIDEO: Eyesore set to vanish as transformation begins

Video from the Shields Gazette here - http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/...-to-vanish-as-transformation-begins-1-5407522
 
#7 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House , as at 19/02/13

Work as stated in posts above has started with demolition process on Wouldhave House however when I took these photos on Tuesday 19/02/13 only small machines were being utilised (hosted on Photobucket)







However noted that large Komatsu machine parked in car park area so not long before "crunching" of structure

KEN
 
#8 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 05/03/13

Work as stated in earlier posts is now in progress with demolition process on Wouldhave House and I took these photos on Tuesday 05/03/13 to show large machine being used and protective scaffold being erected to Market Square elevation (hosted on Photobucket)



















KEN
 
#9 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 25/03/13

Work as stated in earlier post #30 of 06/03/13 is now in progress with demolition on Wouldhave House and I took these photos on Monday 25/03/13 approx 1500 - 1515 to show state of progress at that point in time and large machine being used (hosted on Photobucket)

But first this screen print of Google Maps image showing an aerial view of Wouldhave House (before the works), the Market Square and adjacent road network



My pictures of 25/03/13



















Outer walls to be down by end of of this week or next week at latest I reckon

KEN
 
#10 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 25/03/13

Work as stated in earlier post #32 of 03/04/13 is now in progress with demolition on Wouldhave House and I took these photos on Wednesday 03/04/13 approx 1300 - 1315 to show state of progress at that point in time (hosted on Photobucket)

















KEN
 
#11 ·
Wouldhave House Disappearing Before Our Eyes, - story 08/04/13

Press release from South Tyneside Council 08/04/13:-

Extract

Demolition is progressing fast at Wouldhave House, the 1960s eyesore building in South Shields Market Place which is being flattened as the first stage in the town's £100m regeneration.

The 14-week programme, which is being carried out by Owen Pugh (Contracts) Ltd on behalf of South Tyneside Council, is making rapid progress having started at the rear of the concrete-framed building.

The first stages in the process saw contractors removing the electrics and carrying out 'soft stripping', to remove internal fixtures and fittings. The next stage - removing concrete panels, taking the roof off and then removing the three floors in turn, has been completed on the rear section facing Ferry Approach.

This 'front to back' progress will continue, with additional screening added to the building's frontage to control dust caused by the demolition.


Full story on http://www.southtyneside.info/article/18173/wouldhave-house-disappearing-before-our-eyes

KEN
 
#12 ·
Town eyesore will soon be no more

Courtesy of the Shields Gazette @ http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/town-eyesore-will-soon-be-no-more-1-5564310

Town eyesore will soon be no more


Published on 08/04/2013 14:45



AN eyesore building in South Shields Market Place is rapidly disappearing before townsfolk’s eyes.

Wouldhave House, an infamous blot on the town’s urban landscape for decades, will soon be no more.

Demolition of the 1960s architectural relic marks the first stage of a £100m regeneration of the town centre.

The bulldozing of the former office block and retail outlets, being carried out by North Tyneside firm Owen Pugh on behalf of South Tyneside Council, is progressing rapidly after getting under way at the rear of the concrete-framed building.

The first stage in a process expected to take 14 weeks saw contractors removing electrical appliances and cables, as well as fixtures and fittings. The next stage – removing concrete panels, taking the roof off, then removing the three floors in turn – has been completed on the rear section facing Ferry Approach.

As work continues, additional screening will be added to the building’s frontage to control dust generated by the demolition. A mural of men in a fishing boat on the gable end of the building facing the river has also now gone for ever.

Coun Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “It is great to see the demolition moving ahead so fast, and this is a key step towards a better future for South Shields town centre.

“Wouldhave House is an eyesore which we plan to replace with two quality buildings, including a new library and cultural centre.

“In spite of difficult economic times, we are investing in bold and ambitious plans to deliver regeneration and jobs for the borough.”

The demolition is part of South Shields 365, a £100m masterplan to make the town centre an attractive destination for visitors every day of the year, with a new cinema and retail and leisure facilities poised to be built.

For further details of the South Shields 365 masterplan, visit www.southshields365.co.uk

The wall mural as it was:

Image hosted on www.steve-ellwood.org.uk
 
#13 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 10/04/13

Work as stated in my earlier post of 04/04/13 work is now in progress with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Wednesday 10/04/13 approx 1145 - 1200 to show state of progress at that point in time (hosted on Photobucket)






















KEN
 
#14 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 17/04/13

Another week on from my last post of 10/04/13 work is progressing with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Wednesday 17/04/13 approx 1430 to show state of progress at that point in time (hosted on Photobucket)

Working on elevation fronting Market Square











KEN
 
#15 ·
NE business leaders back S Tyne 365 vision

Courtesy of the Shields Gazette @ http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/ne-business-leaders-back-s-tyne-365-vision-1-5598062

NE business leaders back S Tyne 365 vision

Published on 20/04/2013 15:00



OURISM is the key to closer links between businesses in South Tyneside and their neighbours in Wearside and County Durham.

That was the strategy decision made at a pioneering meeting of the North East Chamber of Commerce’s three area committees at the Stadium of Light.

South Tyneside committee chairman Peter Brumby told the meeting that businesses were backing the South Tyneside Council’s South Shields Vision 365 – which is aimed at bringing more spending into the town.

He said: “For every £100 of disposable income residents have, only £3.70 is spent in South Shields.

“With this plan, the council is very much focused on the tourism side of things.

“We are very optimistic that, provided the council can get the funding, this will attract more people, to make Shields more of a destination.”

Closer co-operation between the three chamber committee areas was seen as a good opportunity for businesses to support each other – but that still meant promoting themselves.

Read more @ http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/ne-business-leaders-back-s-tyne-365-vision-1-5598062
 
#16 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 23/04/13

Almost another week on from my last post of 17/04/13 work is progressing with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Tuesday 23/04/13 in period approx 1015 - 1045 to show state of progress at that point in time (hosted on Photobucket)

Continued working on elevation fronting Market Square











and these from the ferry









KEN
 
#17 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 26/04/13

3 days on from my last post of 23/04/13 work is progressing with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Friday 26/04/13 in period approx 1015 - 1030 to show state of progress at that point in time (hosted on Photobucket)

Continued working on elevation fronting Market Square even on busy market day

















KEN
 
#18 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 02/05/13

Another 6 days on from my post #40 of 26/04/13 and work is progressing with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Thursday 02/05/13 in period approx 1200 - 1300 to show state of progress at that point in time (hosted on Photobucket)



















KEN
 
#19 ·
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/blot-on-the-landscape-is-almost-gone-1-5656870

Published on 08/05/2013 15:19

WORK to demolish Wouldhave House in South Shields Market Place is now nearing completion.

The 1960s architectural blot on the landscape is virtually removed from the town’s landscape forever.

Now only the far right corner, which incorporates the former Commando pub, remains standing. But once that is finally flattened by contractors Owen Pugh, townsfolk will have a clear view across to the north side of the river for the first time in generations.



Annoyingly they've now started work on the site on the riverside developments so the view from the market is blocked by builders hoardings now.
 
#20 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 09/05/13

6 days on from my post #42 of 03/05/13 and work is progressing with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Thursday 09/05/13 in period approx 1115 - 1145 to show state of progress at that time (hosted on Photobucket)



















KEN
 
#21 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 14/05/13

5 days on from my post of 09/05/13 and work is nearing completion with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Tuesday 14/05/13 at approx 1045 to show state of progress at that time (hosted on Photobucket)











The view across the ongoing Foreshore Work to the site that was once Wouldhave House



KEN
 
#22 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 17/05/13

3 days on from my last post of 14/05/13 and work is almost at completion with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Friday 17/05/13 in period approx 1045 - 1115 to show state of works at that time













This to go soon as hand excavation has taken place at base



The building used to be like this on 02/02/12



and this, screen print of Google Map aerial view image



Today



Images hosted on Photobucket

"Another one bites the dust"

KEN
 
#23 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 22/05/13

5 days on from my last post of 17/05/13 and work is almost at completion with the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Wednesday 22/05/13 in period approx 1045 - 1100 to show state of works at that time













The Green "Arch" pictured in earlier post has now gone



The view from the ferry landing



KEN
 
#24 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 20/06/13

Work almost at completion following the demolition on Wouldhave House by Owen Pugh (Contracts) and I took these photos on Thursday 20/00/13 approx 1000 to show state of works at that time - topsoiling and removal of site hoardings taking place (images hosted on Photobucket)





KEN
 
#25 ·
AN infamous South Tyneside eyesore has been obliterated from the borough’s skyline.

Work on demolition of Wouldhave House has been completed bang on schedule by contractors Owen Pugh.

Hoardings which have been around the site for 14 weeks have now been removed giving public views through to the riverside.

The 1960s-built office complex was widely recognised as an architectural blot on the landscape.

And now it’s gone, the council can push ahead with establishing a new central library and community hub on the Market Place site, just one element of the ambitious South Shields 365 masterplan.


Read more: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/...lds-eyesore-is-now-a-distant-memory-1-5811728
 
#26 ·
South Shields 365 - £100m revamp work begins with demolition of Wouldhave House, as at 09/07/13

Hoardings which have been around the site for 14 weeks have now been removed giving public views through to the riverside.
Not on 09/07/13 AM when I took these pictures (hosted on Photobucket)





Assume there for next development on the site

KEN
 
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