The Regeneration and Conservation of the Fish Quay, North Shields
Fish Quay is located at the mouth of the River Tyne, adjacent to the town of North Shields. It has a truly unique blend of topography, buildings and uses, setting it apart from the surrounding communities. It is seen by thousands of passengers on ferries in and out of the Tyne and is also the focus for those working and living in the area, as well as a destination for buying sea produce or simply walking or sitting by the river. It has a rich economic and social history, embracing a diversity of roles and activities. Its origins date back to around 1225, with the growth of a small settlement around the mouth of the river at Tynemouth Monastery. The need to adapt to change following the decline of the fishing industry and to find new roles in the late twentieth century was recognised by a local group FISH (Folk Interested in Shields Harbour) and a Community led Character Appraisal was drawn up. (City and County Nov. 2006)
Now after much hard and successful work to attract inward investment from many Agencies, the results are beginning to show.
Four huge red shipping buoys salvaged from the river have been installed on the land to the east of the fort, reclaimed in the nineteenth century. These are also acting as markers at the confluence of two national and one regional cycle routes.
The Irvin Building (Grade ll listed), having been derelict for many years, has been restored and converted into apartments, shops and a restaurant. Ballard’s Smokehouse (Grade ll listed), derelict and roofless in 2001, has also been restored using a mixture of ‘super green’ designs.
The green spaces created when the old buildings on the banks were demolished in the mid-twentieth century have become a quiet haven alive with important species of moths, butterflies, birds and insects. Having enjoyed the new opening of views post demolition, the growth of trees and shrubs, so important to this wildlife corridor, now themselves threaten to block the views and they will need careful management to get the right balance.
City and County
February 2009
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