Town Hall clock tower: why the scaffolding is up and when it comes down
Wed 11 Nov 2026 ยท Written for Visit South Shields from the sources below.
Checked 11 Nov 2026.
If you've walked down Westoe Road or Beach Road since the summer, you'll have noticed the Town Hall's clock tower wrapped in scaffolding. It went up in August so that the council could start essential repairs to the tower, which is almost 120 years old and part of the Grade II listed Town Hall. (Shields Gazette, 12 Aug 2026: scaffolding goes up at South Shields Town Hall; checked 11 Nov 2026) (Shields Gazette, 11 Nov 2026: a look behind the scaffolding at South Shields Town Hall; checked 11 Nov 2026)
The work covers the tower's bell hammers, its support beams and the clock faces. A local councillor who climbed the scaffolding last week said some of the brickwork also needs restoring, and that the clock faces had begun to rot on the inside, raising worries they could fall out. (Shields Gazette, 11 Nov 2026: a look behind the scaffolding at South Shields Town Hall; checked 11 Nov 2026)
The ship-shaped copper weather vane on the very top, a well-known part of the town's skyline, has been up there for well over a century and was described as still being in very good condition. (Shields Gazette, 11 Nov 2026: a look behind the scaffolding at South Shields Town Hall; checked 11 Nov 2026)
For visitors: the council says the work should be finished later this year, and that access to the Town Hall isn't affected while it goes on. If you want a clear photo of the tower, it may be worth waiting until the scaffolding is down. (Shields Gazette, 11 Nov 2026: a look behind the scaffolding at South Shields Town Hall; checked 11 Nov 2026) (Shields Gazette, 12 Aug 2026: scaffolding goes up at South Shields Town Hall; checked 11 Nov 2026)
Not the same building as the Old Town Hall. Separately, the council says outside restoration work on the Old Town Hall in the Market Place is expected to start later this year, with King Street improvements (seating, lighting and planting) planned for next year. (South Tyneside Council, 13 Oct 2026: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; checked 11 Nov 2026)
More: Christmas in South Shields 2026, things to do and Remembrance Sunday at the Town Hall.