Ryan Smith

South Shields sweetshop Mr Swainston’s has secured a £50,000 investment on BBC’s Dragons’ Den. Owners John Gray and Sean Robinson offered 10% of the business and accepted investor Jenna Meek’s offer of the full amount for 20%, reducing to 12% once her investment is repaid. The owners value Meek’s branding expertise and plan to expand the business from its South Shields base into a recognizable UK-wide confectionery brand. The appearance follows the shop’s move from Westoe Road to Fowler Street.

St Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Hebburn reported a strong GCSE results day, with about one-fifth of grades at grade 7 or above and half at grade 5 or above. Sport students achieved particularly well, while Spanish, art and computer science also recorded high proportions of top grades. Several pupils achieved multiple grade 9s and other high marks, and most are expected to continue at the school’s sixth form. Headteacher James Crowe credited students, staff and families for their commitment and support.

The Westovian Theatre Society in South Shields is seeking a paid musical director for its January 2027 pantomime. The successful applicant will help select and arrange music, teach the cast, coordinate musicians and lead the live band. The role requires weekly rehearsals from October to December, availability for auditions in September, and evening and weekend availability during the January production run at the Westovian Theatre.

A gallery highlights nine South Tyneside businesses and commercial properties listed for sale in August 2026, including retail space and a former NatWest bank in South Shields and Johnnie’s Bar in Jarrow. The featured asking prices range from £155,000 to £195,000, and all listings are hosted on Rightmove.

The New Sundial pub on Sea Road in South Shields will host a free family event on August 19 from 2pm to 4pm. Activities are expected to include bouncy castles, live entertainment for children and a special character visit, with further details available on the pub’s Facebook page.

A photo-led feature highlights cats and dogs at Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter that are seeking permanent homes. The shelter, established in 1896, cares for unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned animals, reunites lost pets with their owners, and arranges adoptions. The featured animals include Judy, Toby and Tony, whose personalities and adjustment to shelter life are described, with readers directed to the shelter for further information.

Lingotot South Tyneside, founded in August 2025 by secondary teachers Ashleigh Armstrong and Claire Barrett, is celebrating its first year teaching French, Spanish and German to children from infancy to age 11. The business operates in nurseries and primary schools across South Tyneside and holds monthly classes at Cleadon Methodist Church. The founders say demand has exceeded expectations and that early language learning supports children’s English development, cultural awareness and confidence.

South Shields barber Inese Hunter, 46, is organising a charity haircut day at Baltic Barbers after being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia following a routine blood test. Cancer Connections has supported her with Reiki therapy, prompting her to raise funds for the South Tyneside charity. The September 6 event will offer haircuts, beard trims, waxing, raffles and refreshments, with all proceeds donated to Cancer Connections.

St Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Hebburn is celebrating its best A-level results in four years, with 75% of the Class of 2026 achieving A* to C grades or equivalent vocational results. BTEC subjects recorded a 100% pass rate with an average grade of Distinction. Students have progressed to universities including Bristol, Newcastle and Northumbria, while others have secured apprenticeships or entered employment. Headteacher James Crowe praised the cohort and said the school would continue supporting students who had not yet decided on their next steps.

Students across South Tyneside celebrate receiving their A-level results, with schools reporting strong performances. The gallery highlights students’ reactions, including Finlay from St Joseph’s, and notes that one student secured a place at the University of Oxford while others plan to study medicine.

Readers in South Tyneside captured images of a rare solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, when more than 90% of the Sun was covered by the Moon. The Shields Gazette showcases several submitted photographs, including images taken through clouds and a welding-glass screen.

South Shields student Hughie Watanabe has secured a place to study mathematics or mathematics and statistics at the University of Oxford’s Christ Church College after achieving three A* grades in maths, further maths and physics. Watanabe described the acceptance as the result of years of hard work, while his mother, Kerrell, said she hoped his success would inspire other students in North East England to pursue ambitious goals.

Comedian and podcast host Jamie Hutchinson will bring his “Can My Mate Come? He’s Sound” live tour to the Customs House in South Shields on October 24. Known for hosting Hot Water’s Green Room Podcast and appearing on Have A Word, Hutchinson has accumulated more than 800 million views for his comedy and podcast clips. Tickets cost £20 plus a £2.50 booking fee.

A community fundraising event will be held at Sutton Hall in South Shields on August 23, with proceeds going to Help for Heroes. The event will feature children’s entertainment, live music, tombolas and baked goods, with entry costing £1 and free admission for under-16s. Help for Heroes supports Armed Forces veterans and their families with physical and mental health, welfare and social needs.

Animator Sheila Graber created a colourful mural on The Little Hut in South Shields’ Readhead Park using artwork designed by 46 pupils from Mortimer Primary School. The project was supported by the Friends of Readhead Park and Harton Cemetery, whose chair Glenn Thompson said the mural celebrates the school’s connection with the park and could attract visitors and generate coffee sales to fund further improvements. The group is also seeking volunteers and will host its annual Picnic in the Park on August 22.

South Tyneside councillor Alex Barr has voluntarily resigned from the borough’s Reform UK group but will continue representing Primrose ward as an independent on South Tyneside Council. Reform UK group leader Paul Mackings confirmed the decision and said the party would make no further comment. Barr is the second Reform UK councillor in South Tyneside to leave since the May 2026 local elections, after Alex Clarke resigned from the Harton ward. Unlike Clarke’s departure, Barr’s decision will not trigger a by-election because he remains an elected council member.

Nexus will close the Tyne and Wear Metro line between South Gosforth and Airport from Saturday, August 15, until the morning of Monday, August 24. The nine-day closure will enable track renewal, station upgrades, cable repairs and lineside estate management. Replacement buses will serve affected stations, while passengers can check TravelNorthEast, the Pop app or Metro’s official X account for updates.

A photo-led feature highlights 17 cats and dogs at Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter that need permanent homes. The shelter, founded in 1896, cares for unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned animals, reunites lost pets with their owners, and helps find new homes for animals no longer wanted. Profiles include Toby, Raine and Chloe, whose descriptions emphasize their personalities and varying levels of confidence and anxiety.

A £5 million project to modernise South Tyneside Council’s 60,000-square-metre Middlefields Depot has been completed. Overseen by Howarth Litchfield, the work reorganised the site to improve traffic flow, security and operational efficiency, including dedicated fleet and staff parking, an MOT area, refuse vehicle storage, a new gatehouse, a bin store, safer pedestrian routes and vehicle charging facilities. South Tyneside Council says the investment will provide a more efficient and safer base for frontline teams, while Howarth Litchfield described the completed depot as fit for the future despite logistical challenges and unexpected underground obstructions.

Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne has backed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s plans to tighten planning rules for vape shops and adult gaming centres. The proposals would require new e-cigarette retailers to obtain local authority permission, prevent convenience-store loopholes and give councils greater ability to block new gambling venues. Osborne said the measures could help tackle illicit trade and businesses linked to organised crime, alongside extending business closure orders from six to 12 months. The changes are expected to take effect in early 2027, while Osborne urged South Tyneside Council to use its powers and introduce a licensing scheme for vape retailers quickly.

South Shields MP Emma Lewell is calling for proper diversion routes to reduce congestion caused by the closure of Heugh Street Bridge. South Tyneside Council has submitted a £21 million bid to the Department for Transport’s Structures Fund to replace the bridge, which was closed to traffic in November 2025 after inspections found its condition to be poor. The bridge remains open to pedestrians and under enhanced monitoring. Lewell is urging residents to support her petition seeking faster funding action, preparations for repair or replacement, and the creation of alternative access routes. A funding decision is expected in autumn, with any successful project required to reopen to traffic by March 31, 2030.

The annual Picnic in the Park event will return to Readhead Park in South Shields on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. Organised by the Friends of Readhead Park, the free event will feature live music, performances, local-producer stalls, children’s activities, raffles, refreshments and an art exhibition by Sheila Graber. Proceeds will support improvements to the park and its facilities, while Readhead Park Bowls Club will offer bowling for £1 with equipment provided.

South Tyneside Council is inviting carers across the borough to contribute anonymously to an update of its Carers Strategy. The consultation seeks feedback on what support is working, what difficulties carers face, and which changes would make the greatest difference.

South Tyneside Council has submitted a £21 million bid to the Department for Transport’s Structures Fund to fully replace the Heugh Street Bridge in South Shields. The bridge has been closed to vehicles since November 2025 after inspections found its condition to be poor, although pedestrians can still cross and enhanced monitoring continues. Council leader Paul Mackings said replacement would restore traffic access, improve connectivity and support economic growth. A decision is expected in autumn, with any funded replacement required to open to traffic by 31 March 2030.

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Shields will host a free Disney-themed meet and greet featuring Stitch and Angel on August 8. The event will take place at Middle Arcade Amusements from 1pm for approximately 30 minutes, with families encouraged to arrive early to secure photos.

Reform UK candidate Katie Groom won the Harton by-election, defeating Labour’s Neil Maxwell and Green Party candidate Kathryn Kaupa. Although disappointed, Kaupa said the Greens had run a positive campaign and would continue working for Harton. South Tyneside Green Party leader Rachael Taylor said the Greens remained the official opposition, with 10 councillors and the largest opposition group on South Tyneside Council. The result leaves Reform UK with 41 seats, the Greens with 10, Labour with one and independents with two.

Katie Stubbs is expanding her Reel Screen Academy drama school from The Little Theatre in Cleadon to the Ocean Road Community Centre in her hometown of South Shields. The school, launched in February 2025, teaches children aged seven to 17 both acting and filmmaking skills, including directing and working behind the camera. Demand has reached capacity at the existing sessions, prompting the expansion. A free open day will take place at the South Shields venue on September 5, ahead of regular Saturday classes during term time.

Reform UK won the Harton ward by-election on South Tyneside Council on August 6, 2026. The vote was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Alex Clarke after reports of offensive comments on a podcast, which he described as comedy-based. Seven candidates contested the seat, with polling open from 7am to 10pm.

South Shields MP Emma Lewell is urging the UK Government to introduce tougher rules for transporting nurdles after a ship collision released an estimated 17 tonnes of plastic pellets into the River Tyne. The pellets have washed up on North East beaches, prompting a regional cleanup involving specialist contractors, emergency services and volunteers. Lewell cited EU-style zero-pellet-loss legislation as a possible model and highlighted the serious injury and trauma caused by the accident. Port of Tyne CEO Matt Beeton backed tighter international rules, saying shipping practices and cargo categorization must change worldwide. The port has recovered about 10 tonnes, while the wider cleanup continues.

A Port of Tyne container operator seriously injured when a gantry crane collapsed after the Wind Orca collided with the berthed BG Orange has been discharged from Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary and is recovering at home. Port CEO Matt Beeton said the man remains in poor condition but is not facing life-threatening injuries, while other employees are receiving support after the traumatic incident. The port has also launched a major salvage operation to secure the damaged area.

The 2026 Sunday Concerts at Bents Park in South Shields attracted more than 19,500 ticketed attendees and an estimated total audience of around 23,000 across three events headlined by Joe McElderry, ABC and Judge Jules. South Tyneside Council introduced paid entry for the first time, while attendance exceeded the previous year’s figure for Bjorn Again. Mayor Stan Wildhirt called the concerts a major success and said fundraising during the events would support five local charities.

Young people aged 16 to 18, or up to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan, are invited to a free careers drop-in event at Ocean Road Community Centre in South Shields on August 26 from 3pm to 6pm. The event will offer advice on education, training and apprenticeships, meetings with local training providers, a CV workshop, and information about support services and youth activities. No booking is required.

The New Sundial pub on Sea Road in South Shields will host a family screening of Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy horror film Beetlejuice at 7pm on October 28. Attendees can view the pub’s Halloween decorations, take family photos and receive popcorn and a chocolate treat with their £10 ticket. Organisers have also promised a final Halloween surprise after the credits.

The South Shields 10-Mile Run celebrated its tenth anniversary with more than 360 runners taking part in a coastal race from Souter Lighthouse along South Tyneside. Organiser Luke Adams thanked volunteers, participants and supporters, highlighting the event’s aims of promoting the area, outdoor fitness, local businesses and charities. Mark Hope won the men’s race, while Charlotte Redhead won the women’s race.

Environmental campaigners in South Tyneside have delivered an open letter urging Port of Tyne CEO Matt Beeton to allow trained volunteers to help remove plastic nurdles from the River Tyne. Around one billion pellets entered the river after a ship collision and crane collapse on July 19, with ongoing pollution reaching beaches along the North East coast. Campaigners say the Port needs more people working on the river and should better coordinate with local volunteers. Beeton said the salvage operation had reached a critical stage and that plans were being developed for the community to take part safely, with volunteers expected to help shape the clean-up approach.