Future’s bright – the future’s South Tyneside

For many of my formative years, living in South Tyneside was about living in a borough managing its own decline.

We were overshadowed by our near neighbours and looked on in awe and somewhat resentfully at what was being achieved in Gateshead and Newcastle.

In recent years, some brave leadership decisions have been made.

The tide, I hope, has turned as young families are moving into the borough making the most of all our many assets.

Through 365, South Tyneside does so much to have an attractive range of events, exhibitions and happenings.

While the Customs House is not quite a 365day operation, we work with the council and fellow South Tyneside venues to complement and add to the cultural offer.

The Customs House has a thriving learning and participation programme and each year we host annual comedy and magic festivals which attract many visitors to use the borough’s numerous other amenities. Its estimated we make a contribution of more than £3.5million to the South Tyneside economy engaging as we do with over 250,000 people per year.

We are able to do this with the support of South Tyneside Council, The Arts Council and many local companies who sponsor, support and engage with our organisation. Thanks to these and a range of trust funds who support our learning and participation programmes we work with over 2,5000 school children each year.

These are exciting times and The Customs House continues to play its part. Why not come and support us?