Whitby Maritime Training Hub Consultation Launched

Revised Plans for Whitby's ten million pound maritime training hub are going on display as part of a public consultation on the project.

The hub would be built on Endeavour Wharf using cash from the government's town deal scheme.

North Yorkshire Council is starting a pre-planning consultation on a new Whitby Maritime Hub, which will provide training and certification opportunities for the maritime, marine and offshore industries, to residents of Whitby and the wider area.

The funding for the project will come from the £17.1 million that was given to Whitby as part of the Government’s Town Deal scheme which awarded the town as well as Scarborough a total of £37.3 million in 2021.

Building on Whitby’s proud fishing and sailing heritage, the hub in Endeavour Wharf will address a local need to develop a better supply of technical abilities in the maritime sector and put the town at the forefront of the growing renewable energy sector.

Additionally, the hub will also provide accommodation for maritime businesses and service providers to further support economic growth in the Whitby area.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for business - Councillor Derek Bastiman - hopes the project will bring new jobs to the area.

The hub has been designed to blend in with the existing views of the town.

Workshops on the hub’s ground and first floors will house the current and new wharf-based operations and functions of the Harbour Authority.
There will be space for classroom-based training, engineering workshops and marine biology laboratories, offering opportunities for training and employment in areas ranging from marine biology to emerging industries, such as off-shore wind.

The second floor will be an office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries. The space is intended to be occupied by local, regional and national businesses and organisations, making Whitby a hub of maritime activity.

It's hoped that the hub will help deliver a better supply of technical skills to the local maritime sector and aim to put Whitby at the forefront of the growing renewable energy sector.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for business - Councillor Derek Bastiman - is backing the project.

Councillor Bastiman says the project is a significant investment in the town, he's calling for local residents to take part in the consultation.

The manager of Whitby Lobster Hatchery, Joe Redfern, said:

“We still have a thriving fishing industry dependent on crab and lobster stocks.

“Bringing together different organisations all together under one roof in the maritime hub will provide an amazing opportunity for young people in Whitby to explore a career in these industries.”

Cllr Neil Swannick, the member for the Whitby Streonshalh division on North Yorkshire Council, said:

“The hub will give Whitby an economic boost and move the town away from a reliance on seasonal tourism and hospitality.

“The consultation is now open, and I would urge people to give us their feedback as we head to the planning application stage.”

The consultation is now open and will run for four weeks, closing on Friday, February 9.

In person events, at which the public can ask any questions to council officers and find out more information, will be taking place on the following dates:

• Tuesday, January 23, from 10am to 4pm, at Eastside Community Centre.
• Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 4pm, at Whitby Coliseum.
• Wednesday, January 31, from 10am to 7pm, at Whitby Coliseum

More information is available at www.northyorks.gov.uk/WhitbyMaritimeHub