South Tyneside Council has confirmed that a preferred developer has been identified to bring land at Harton Quay back to life, marking a major step forward in the continued transformation of South Shields’ riverside and town centre.
The successful bidder has been named as Building Design Northern (BDN) – the developer behind Sunderland’s award‑winning Sheepfolds Stables. The company will now work closely with the council over the next year to shape detailed proposals, secure planning permission and prepare the site for an exciting new cultural and leisure destination.
The council invited expressions of interest and proposals for the site, which is located between Mill Dam and Harton Quay, with direct access to the Customs House and next to the former BT business centre, which will soon be transformed into a student hall of residence.
The proposals from North East-based BDN – representing a £7m investment – could include multiple food and drink operators, a tap room and entertainment and event spaces. The development would be sympathetic to the location’s history, as the site of the former Cookson’s Glassworks factory.
The developer’s vision aligns strongly with the council’s ambition to create a vibrant, distinctive destination that celebrates heritage while supporting a modern cultural economy.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said:
“This is another hugely exciting moment for South Shields.
“We are delivering real momentum across our town centre and riverside, and this site has always been one of the most important pieces of the jigsaw.
“To have secured a developer with a proven track record – including the phenomenal success of Sheepfolds Stables – shows the confidence investors now have in South Tyneside and in our long‑term regeneration plans.
“This project will help us grow a vibrant cultural quarter at Mill Dam, complement the Customs House renovation, and create the kind of destination our residents told us they want: more places to eat, drink, meet and enjoy.”
In public consultation carried out by South Tyneside Council in 2022, residents highlighted Mill Dam as a much‑loved area for socialising but one that needed more high‑quality food, drink and leisure options to fulfil its potential.
Richard Marsden, managing director of BDN, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have secured this opportunity in South Shields.
“For us, successful partnerships are built on trust, so we always value working with organisations that stick to their word and share our long-term vision. We have found such a partner in South Tyneside Council.
“The site itself is steeped in history, and it’s a privilege to play a role in its next chapter. With our new venue, The Glassworks, we aim to showcase the heritage of the location in a contemporary and engaging way, celebrating what makes it special while bringing new energy to the area. We’re particularly excited about the prospect of reigniting the existing chimney, a distinctive symbol of the site’s past, and helping to ensure it remains a landmark for generations to come.
“We hope to bring a really vibrant leisure venue to the area, with a range of eateries including a high-quality seafood offering, given the site’s riverside location.”
Over the coming months, the council and the developer will refine proposals that complement the character of Mill Dam and protect heritage elements such as the historic, locally-listed Glassworks chimney.
This next phase of regeneration builds on a decade of major investment in the riverside – from Harton Quays Park, The Word and the Transport Interchange, to the transformation of Holborn docks, the college relocation programme and the emerging Mill Dam cultural hub.