Challenge: Making the most of transit spaces

The International Passenger Terminal in North Shields is used for daily ferry services to Amsterdam and for cruises either departing the region or visiting to experience all that the North East has to offer. These vessels can carry 2,000 passengers per sailing, with two to three sailings on some days through the summer season. This means the terminal has times when it is incredibly busy as ships are arriving and departing but at other times is empty. The dwell time of passengers within the terminal is relatively short but in that time they are looking for services to allow a great travel experience.

Past experience and trials with a cafe, retail and automated vending has had mixed success. The transient nature of occupation makes it difficult to justify the operating and staffing costs of such facilities. However, passengers do expect to be able to buy food and drinks in the terminal and could also benefit for other retail and entertainment offers.

This challenge is about identifying opportunities for better use of the space available in the terminal. This has the potential to drive commercial revenues, improve the experience for passengers and provide the best possible impression as visitors arrive in the region.

The session will focus on ways to make use of currently vacant spaces within the terminal, where there might be opportunities for local businesses to partner with the Port of Tyne as operators. Uses could be focused on travellers or on visitors coming to the terminal as a destination in its own right.

About the venue

You can find further details about this venue here.