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Whitley Bay Accountants

Whitley Bay is our home and the base of many of the sole traders, start-up businesses and large corporations that we do business with. However, like many northern seaside resorts, the town hasn’t always been cast in the best light. In recent years, the area has undergone something of a renaissance and is now leading the way in the north as an area of investment and regeneration.

In this post, we thought we’d take a step back in time and discover more about the history of our hometown of Whitley Bay as well as look ahead to what the future has in store as North Tyneside forges ahead with its own renewal following decades of neglect.

 The past

Founded some 2,000 years ago and aptly named Whitley due to its surrounding pasture land, Whitley Bay grew from its roots as a tiny, 12th Century hamlet to a popular seaside resort come the 1900s. Once a popular spot for day trippers and holiday makers alike, the town would come to life at the weekends in particular, with visitors travelling from the surrounding areas and much further afield to sample the delights of seaside life.

Following the formation of the Spanish City in 1904, an attraction that later evolved further thanks to the addition of a large fairground and a domed theatre and ballroom, Whitley Bay cemented its status as the holiday making hotspot of the north. Years later British rock band Dire Straits would sing about Whitley Bay’s Spanish City in their hit Tunnel of Love.  However, this popularity didn’t last. Like many seaside resorts across the country, Whitley Bay fell into disrepair with the once famous Edwardian concert hall closing and being declared derelict.

The present

During the past decade, Whitley Bay has become an area built on regeneration and investment. The once collapsed tourist scene is now being revived, and with recent statistics from VisitEngland reporting a 7% increase in overnight visits to English seaside towns, this recovery couldn’t have come at a better time. The announcement of a £36 million seafront regeneration plan is also set to change the town’s fortunes further.

The future

The ambitious seafront regeneration will result in a renewed appearance for the town. Plans are ready to go ahead after the scheme secured a £3.4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the iconic Spanish City Dome, a restoration that will be the centrepiece of the entire development. Plans will also see the development of ground floor retail, leisure and café units as well as the transformation of the entire seafront.

Personally we can’t wait for work to get started and for Whitley Bay to become the jewel of the North East coastline once more!

Are you a Whitley Bay based business looking for accounting help? We can assist with a range of reliable and flexible accounting services. Get in touch with our accountants today to discuss your requirements.