A multi-million pound scheme aiming to drive forward economic growth on the North Yorkshire coast by boosting training and job opportunities has received interest from local businesses.
Work has begun on the construction of the Whitby Maritime Training Hub which hopes to establish the port as a key player in the maritime sector.
The dedicated centre on Endeavour Wharf will provide engineering workshops and business space for a range of maritime industries, as well as training facilities to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and apprentices.
Prospective tenants for the building, which hopes to provide a greater breadth of careers in the historic port, are now being sought by North Yorkshire Council.
Members of the council’s executive will be asked on Tuesday 15 July to enter into a five-year tenancy agreement with Whitby-based boat builder Parkol Marine Engineering, which wants to lease a commercial workshop space within the hub.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “The construction of the maritime hub is all about driving economic growth on the coast by providing a sustainable range of job opportunities that protects and enhances Whitby’s thriving future.
“It is important that we deliver a high-quality facility that we hope captures the imagination of maritime businesses, inspires the next generation of skilled workers, and brings wider benefits to the region.
“We are in the process of speaking with interested businesses who are keen to lease commercial space within the hub, when it is due to open in April next year.
“Members of the executive will carefully consider these proposals next week.”
The funding for the project, which is expected to cost £10 million, will come from the £17.1 million given to Whitby as part of the Government’s Town Deals programme. A total of £37.3 million was awarded under the programme to Whitby and Scarborough in 2021.
North Yorkshire Council will initially manage the facility.
Willmott Dixon is leading on the construction, while the council-owned property consultancy Align Property Partners is taking on the scheme’s project management administration.
