Construction to start on £9.6m maritime training hub

Building work will soon start on a development which aims to establish Whitby as a pivotal player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors.

The Whitby Maritime Training Hub will build on the town’s fishing and sailing heritage with a dedicated centre created in Endeavour Wharf to provide a greater breadth of career paths in the historic port.

Construction is scheduled to begin next week and is planned to be completed by the end of April 2026.

The development aims to provide first-class training facilities as well as accommodation for businesses and service providers to inspire the next generation of skilled apprentices and maritime industry professionals.

The facility is set to also contain engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries.

Executive member for open to business at North Yorkshire Council, Councillor Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include economic growth and harbours, said: “This is a significant milestone for this project with construction work due to start next week.

“We believe the hub can open the door to new economic growth in coastal areas and be a key development for Whitby, affirming the town as a key player in the modern fishing industry and a pivotal link in the supply chain for the growing renewable energy sector.

“It is imperative that there is a sustainable and diverse range of job opportunities for our communities, and the building of a world-class training facility can only help inspire the future apprentices and professionals in the maritime sector.”

North Yorkshire Council will initially manage the facility. But once it is open, there will be potential for a community interest company to be formed to take on the running of the hub.

The council says the facility should be occupied by local, regional and national businesses and organisations.

It explains that this would enable new commercial opportunities in the maritime and marine sectors, supporting the local economy and reducing reliance on seasonal employment such as tourism.

Chair of Whitby Town Board, Barry Harland, said: “Presenting new opportunities for people in and around Whitby is the main reason for the hub being built.

“I hope the excitement will build even further as the opportunities that these facilities will offer for local families become clearer over the next year, and more people and organisations engage with the project as it moves towards completion.”

Funding for the project, which is expected to cost £9.6m, will come from the £17.1m given to Whitby as part of the government’s Town Deals programme. A total of £37.3m was awarded under the programme to Whitby and Scarborough in 2021.

Developer Willmott Dixon will lead on the construction. It will be supported by the council’s building design consultancy, Align Property Partners, who will assist with the day-to-day management of the construction site.

Yorkshire director at Willmott Dixon, Chris Yates, said: “We’re really excited to be working alongside North Yorkshire Council to create this landmark development which will add to Whitby’s proud maritime heritage.”