A Whitley Bay charity has revealed plans for a major renovation of a community space to create an arts and creativity zone, wildlife garden, offices for fledgling businesses and a relaxation area with cafe.
Whitley Bay Big Local wants to refurb its Whitley Road venue which will help also accommodate extra people and services in the community for people of all ages including workers.
On the ground floor visitors and locals may be able to relax in a proposed kitchen and cafe area with doors leading to a wildlife garden for children. Big Local is also hoping to construct cycling facilities so cyclists can park safely in the area and use the facilities.
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The first floor could be transformed into an arts and creativity space. The plan is to create a number of studios and art spaces for workshops.
The second floor is proposed to change into an office space to encourage enterprises and start-ups or potentially as a large community space for activities such as toddler groups.
A winter garden has also been proposed on the second floor. The garden will be semi-enclosed where people can enjoy the sunshine and hopefully grow food to be used in the cafe.
David Carnaffan, Whitley Bay Big Local’s chief executive officer, spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service to describe his ambition for the site.
“It was a former job centre up until, I think, 2017”, David said. “When you go into the building, it still bears all the hallmarks of an office building. It has suspended ceilings, it’s open plan offices on three floors and what it does not do is subdivide the space."
“You can have one activity going on per floor but the demand is different. We have a demand for meeting rooms, demand for offices, demand for large community spaces, demand for hotdesking spaces. At the minute we can’t do any of it.
“It's a bit grim in all honesty when you come into the centre, although it has been made to look and feel really warm and welcoming, the infrastructure and shell of the place is not very inspiring."
Whitley Bay councillor John O’Shea said: “Whitley Bay Big Local is a commendable charity doing good work in the area and the ambitious plan to create a winter garden in the existing building, which was a rather drab job centre, is a wonderful idea.
“I do hope that the whole application is successful and that Whitley Bay Big Local goes from strength to strength with the new building."
Whitley Bay Big Local is part of the ‘Big Local’ ’network of 150 community hubs which aim to support people in particular communities to address areas of concern.
North Tyneside council’s planning committee will consider the application for the building on July 27.
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