Public Sector Build Journal featured the iconic cultural centre on the front cover in addition to an internal five page feature on the building being simply the first stage of the 365 regeneration plan whilst RIBA Journal, the magazine of the Royal Institute of British Architects, also featured The Word on the front cover and a six page article enthusing over the library’s architecture.
On April 7th The Word was also announced as the winner in the Best Public Service Building category at the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Northern Region Awards and now goes through to the LABC Grand Finals to be held in London in November. The building has also been shortlisted in three categories the North East RICS Awards, the RIBA North East Awards, to be decided in May, and in two categories in the CENE (Constructing Excellence North East) awards to be decided in June.
David Wells, Regional Director of Muse Developments, South Tyneside Council’s development partner, commented, “The coverage in national trade magazines is hugely important as they are read by influential decision makers in their own fields of the public sector and architecture. As such, they’re shouting out to the professions that South Shields is alive and kicking and embarking on a fantastic regeneration that will carry the town forwards.”
“The awards, both regional and, hopefully, national, are also about telling the property world that the town is moving and offers fantastic opportunities for developers and investors these are exactly the people we need to attract to maximise the potential of the Council’s initial public spending and attract further private investment. It has always been our intention to kick-start the 365 regeneration plan with an iconic building and we’re on track for the next phases of infrastructure development, which, whilst maybe not as glamorous as the initial phase of The Word and the Market redevelopment, are vital for the future.”
“Phase two of the plan, the construction of a new Transport Interchange which will bring the town’s Metro and bus services together for the first time, is a more complicated proposal involving many other parties and a huge amount of preparatory infrastructure but the whole team is working hard towards construction commencing early next year.”
Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, added, “We’re thrilled that The Word has won another award. We always knew that it was going to be a fantastic asset to the Borough and almost 200,000 local residents and visitors from further afield have already seen for themselves what an outstanding facility this is.”
“But to receive awards and recognition from respected national institutions and publications is further endorsement of The Word and the wider 365 vision and sends a clear signal that South Shields is open for business.”
