Plans for Multi-Million-Pound Maritime Hub in Whitby to Boost Jobs and Innovation

Plans for a multi-million-pound development in Whitby aim to place the historic port at the forefront of maritime and offshore renewable energy industries while boosting job opportunities for local communities.

Next week, North Yorkshire Council’s executive will consider proposals to approve a £9.6 million contract with developers Willmott Dixon to begin construction on the Whitby Maritime Hub at Endeavour Wharf. The project is set to receive funding from the Government’s Town Deals programme, which allocated £17.1 million to Whitby in 2021.

Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, said, “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 Maritime Hub will offer state-of-the-art facilities, including classrooms, engineering workshops, and marine biology laboratories. It will also feature office space for marine-based start-ups and established maritime businesses, aiming to reduce Whitby’s reliance on seasonal tourism by diversifying the local economy.

The hub’s goal is to connect Whitby’s maritime heritage with modern opportunities, providing training and employment in fields like marine biology and offshore wind energy. Barry Harland, chair of the Whitby Town Board, said, “Whitby has a proud maritime heritage, and we want to make sure that this continues throughout the 21st century.”

Public consultation last year revealed strong support for the project, with 69% of respondents backing the plans. Construction could begin early this year, with the hub set to open in spring 2026.

Local councillors have highlighted the development’s potential to create lasting benefits. Cllr Neil Swannick said, “The chance to provide a far greater range of job opportunities here in Whitby would benefit not just people living here in the town, but also across a far wider area.”

Designed to blend seamlessly with Whitby’s historic setting, the Maritime Hub aims to attract local, regional, and national talent to drive innovation in the maritime sector. As Cllr Phil Trumper noted, “The proposed development of the hub presents a significant opportunity for Whitby to place itself at the front and centre of the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors.”

If approved, the Whitby Maritime Hub is set to become a landmark development, promising a stronger, more diverse economic future for the town and its communities.

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