North Yorkshire councillors are to consider awarding a £9.6m contract for Willmott Dixon to build the Whitby Maritime Hub, aimed at providing a greater breadth of career paths in the historic port.
It’s said the multi-million pound development would place Whitby at the forefront of the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors, and help to boost job opportunities.
The hub in Endeavour Wharf is set to address the need to develop a better supply of technical skills in the maritime sector and put the town at the forefront of the growing renewable energy sector.
Cllr Mark Crane said: “We have long recognised the need to ensure that there is a diverse and sustainable range of job opportunities for all our communities, and especially those on the coast.
“The plans for the Whitby Maritime Hub present us with a significant chance to achieve just that, opening the door to new economic growth and helping to create the next generation of skilled apprentices and professions by providing first-class training and facilities for a range of maritime industries.
“The proposals to enter into a contract to start work on the development will be considered carefully by executive members to ensure that we provide the best value for taxpayers while also capitalising on the opportunity to create what we hope will be a landmark development on the North Yorkshire coast.”
If the plans are approved by the executive, it’s hoped that the building could be ready to open next spring.
