Teesside Airport’s outdoor viewing area will close for good next week

Diggers will move onto the site as work to create a brand new "Sky Bar" and viewing platform on the terminal roof is scheduled to begin in the New Year.

The Northern Echo earlier this year revealed the rooftop viewing platform was making a comeback after growing calls for its return, some several years after the first one was shut. 

Read more: Viewing platform at Teesside Airport to make return after years of closure

Last night, airport bosses confirmed the existing viewing platform, to the right of the terminal building, would close for good on Monday (December 20) as they targeted a May 2022 opening date of the new one. 

Picture: TEESSIDE AIRPORT/CORSTOPHINE AND WRIGHT

Plans released earlier this year revealed how a new Sky Bar, outdoor viewing platform and office space would be created as part of the "next phase" of the airport's refit. 

At the time, they showed how the Sky Bar and viewing platform would be accessible from the check-in area, and remain free of charge to the public.

Airport bosses said as a result of the work, the car park will see temporary changes to the drop-off and short stay areas from Tuesday, but that fees will be unaffected.

Read more: How impressive new ROOFTOP viewing platform at Teesside Airport will look

Meanwhile, they said those visiting the Landside Cafe and Fairs-Lloyds Travel will still receive two hours of free parking by obtaining a pass from the terminal.

Picture: TEESSIDE AIRPORT/CORSTOPHINE AND WRIGHT ARCHITECTS

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This latest work will see a fantastic new area created where people can kick back, relax and enjoy the best views in the country of aircraft taking off and landing.

“2022 will be the airport’s busiest summer in years, with Ryanair committed to the same popular destinations it brought to us this year.

"It will also see the return of TUI, the world’s leading holiday company, after nine years, so people can be assured there’ll be plenty to see.

“Obviously there may be a small amount of disruption in the car park while this work is carried out, but this will be kept to a minimum and I’d like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused."

Construction work is set to start in January with the removal of cladding from the terminal building and demolition of external walls by a former courtyard.

Then from February, the setting of foundations, erection of the new steel frame extension and roof will begin - with the platform eventually being opened by May.

Airport bosses said a number of local firms including Wharton Construction, 186 Property Solutions and ADL Developments, have been signed up to complete the work.

Meanwhile, Mr Houchen confirmed that the Tees Valley Combined Authority would be relocating in a move he claimed will save the taxpayer "thousands."

He said: “As ever, we’re backing our brilliant local businesses as we continue our redevelopment, with the trusted specialist contractors back on site for this new phase, which begins our plans to capitalise on the airport’s land and assets with top-quality office space.

“This will temporarily become home to the Combined Authority, saving the taxpayer thousands, but it is only the first in many exciting plans we have for the wider airport site.

"These will drive more investment and income streams for the airport and attract companies that will create good-quality, well-paid jobs for people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054