The Tynemouth Castle Inn prepares for grand opening after redevelopment of the Park Hotel site

The Art Deco venue overlooking Tynemouth Longsands was acquired by Newcastle-based hospitality firm The Inn Collection Group in April 2021 and has since had over £10m invested in its remodelling.

It now features 72 rooms and a refurbished bar and dining area.

People partner at The Inn Collection Group Jake Henderson, who is responsible for recruiting and training staff, said: “I think it has been a long time coming and that we have all been really excited to be a part of it.

“I know it is a really anticipated site and everyone has been really excited to have it ready to use, so it is just nice to be able to welcome people through the doors now.”

Work on the property has included the construction of Oswins fish and chip shop and Cones ice cream parlour, which will be operated by The Inn Collection Group but are not due to open for a couple more weeks.

The 80-year-old venue also has a new outdoor dining area with views out to sea.

Main menu items include steaks, seafood, pizzas, pub classics, and traditional desserts, and the restaurant will also offer brunch and light bites between 10am and 5pm.

After a launch event for the venue, Jake was “really confident” that the staff are ready for the opening.

He said: “Seeing them behind the bar and ready to serve customers on Monday fills me with a lot more confidence that it is going to run really well.

“The team is great and it is amazing to be able to give them a really amazing site to be able to build a career in with the group.”

Management staff at the inn have been selected from the group’s existing properties.

It has also hired some staff through an employability scheme in partnership with North Tyneside Council and the Newcastle United Foundation.

17-year-old Scarlett McDougall, a graduate of the scheme, said: “We had to go to The Commissioners Quay Inn [in Blyth] so we could get first hand experience there, so it would prepare us for this.

“It is an iconic place so it is going to be so busy. It has to live up to what it used to be, but I am sure we can do it.”

Josh Pearce, 17, who was also recruited through the scheme, said: “The Tynemouth Castle Inn is a big change to the area and I think people are going to be shocked when they see what The Inn Collection Group has actually done to the building.

“It is going to be great for the locals who actually know this as the Park Hotel, who will now be able to come in and see the positive impact we have had on the building.”

He added: “It is great on them for hiring us but also for the young people in the area, where it is quite hard for us to get work, especially with a good employer who looks after us.”