Willmott Dixon is helping to put Whitby at the forefront of the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors by building a state-of-the-art hub to upskill a new generation of maritime industry professionals.
Whitby Maritime Training Hub will build on the town’s fishing and sailing heritage as a dedicated centre in Endeavour Wharf by providing training and certification for people working in the maritime, marine and offshore renewable industries, as well as accommodation for businesses and service providers.
It will also have engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries.
Willmott Dixon was procured by North Yorkshire Council via the SCAPE Construction Framework for the £9.6m project which is planned to be complete by Spring 2026. The company is working with Enjoy Architects.
North Yorkshire Council will initially remain as the operator of the facility, which has been designed to blend in with the existing views of the town.
Once opened, there will be the potential for a community interest company to be developed to take on the running of the hub.
The facility is intended to be occupied by local, regional and national businesses and organisations, making Whitby a hub of maritime activity.
This would enable new commercial opportunities in the maritime and marine sectors to support growth in the local economy and reduce a reliance on seasonal employment, such as tourism.
The funding for the project will come from via the Government’s Town Deals programme. A total of £37.3 million was awarded under the programme to Whitby and Scarborough in 2021.
Yorkshire director at Willmott Dixon, Chris Yates, added: "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. We share the council’s passion for creating employment opportunities for this community. In partnership with our local supply chain partners, we will provide 800 hours of employment support through our bespoke Building Lives Academy programmes.
“This will help those furthest from the job market become work-ready and give those involved the chance to leave a lasting legacy by contributing directly to the build of the new hub. The project will act as a live learning environment facilitating 150 weeks of apprenticeship training, creating 20 work experience placement opportunities and opening our doors to visitors from local community groups and educational organisations.”
Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE: “We are proud to partnering with Willmott Dixon on this transformative project, which is being delivered with the local community at its core.
“The new Maritime Training Hub in Whitby will be a cornerstone for skills development, training, and employment in the maritime sector, ensuring the future of this historic industry, while driving lasting economic growth for the region. At SCAPE, delivering meaningful social value is fundamental to our work. Through close collaboration with Willmott Dixon, we will champion new initiatives that supports local people and create a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
Once the hub is completed, Endeavour Wharf car park will retain 198 parking spaces including disabled car parking and those for harbour operators.
The car park is currently closed and will remain unavailable during the construction phase for safety reasons.
