Former North Shields Tyne Brand Fish Quay factory buildings up for demolition

The local authority has submitted plans to demolish unsafe former industrial buildings which were part of the Tyne Brand factory until its closure in the 1970s. The site had already been earmarked for housing last year. 

Newcastle firm Lugano Property Group expressed interest in constructing around 100 to 140 new homes on the site, including a public square at Brewhouse Bank and a garden for the Low Lights pub. But, according to council documents: “…the complex nature of the site suggested high-density housing would be required to make the site viable and no firm plans have progressed to date.”

The site was also issued a section 77 from the Building Act 1984, also known as a dangerous building order. It was issued in 2024, enabling other buildings on the site to be made safe for demolition. 

The order was also issued for the following reasons relating to public safety: 

Portions of the build are at imminent collapse

Occupants continue to work and trade in an unsafe structure

Structure is “untreatable and unsalvageable”

Risk of injury and potential damage to Low Lights pub

Several fires recorded on site over the last 10 years

“Significant” issuesof anti-social behaviour, drug taking and rough sleeping

The council’s report reads: “Although the site is well secured this has not prevented trespassing onto the site, which is of a serious concern in regards to public safety. This planning application is for the subsequent phase of demolition, concerning buildings…some of which are interconnected and therefore by their nature could be impacted by the controlled demolition or collapse of adjacent structures.” 

The origins of the Tyne Brand factor date back as far as 1901, when local trawler owners founded the Shields Ice & Cold Storage company. The factory originally manufactured ice before transitioning to canning fish and later canned meat, soup and jam. 

Tyne Brand has historically been a major employer in the North Shields area.