About Gateshead

Gateshead is a constantly changing borough that combines modern facilities with a fascinating heritage. The borough stretches almost 13 miles along the south bank of the River Tyne and covers 55 square miles, making it the largest of the five Tyne and Wear authorities.

Gateshead is a borough of contrasts. It has a large urban hub and several smaller urban centres and busy employment areas. However, around two thirds of the borough is rural.

Built on traditional industries of mining and heavy engineering, the 1930s saw diversification through the development of the Team Valley Trading Estate, the first trading estate of its type in the UK. Centrally located for the region, the site has become prominent for transport and distribution activities and is the borough's most prestigious employment centre, attracting large numbers of inward commuters to the borough every day.

Gateshead is home to some of the North East’s most recognisable icons, including the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and of course, the Angel of the North.

You can find outstanding shopping, dining and leisure for everyone at the Metrocentre, one of the UK’s largest shopping centres. Gateshead also has 20 nature reserves and country parks, including Saltwell Park – an award-winning Victorian park nestled in the heart of the borough.

About Gateshead Council

We strongly believe that the strength of Gateshead is the people of Gateshead. When faced with adversity, we come together and deliver for one another, working tirelessly for the benefit of our communities.

We’re absolutely committed to making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives. This means working with our partners and others to support a great borough, with vibrant communities, where businesses can grow, residents feel supported and live fulfilled lives, and our environmental impact is minimised.

The council is Labour-controlled and run by a cabinet system organisational structure, serving around 198,000 residents. We employ more than 4,700 people across a wide range of services and our people are our greatest asset. We value our employees, respect their skills and knowledge, and strive to create a friendly and supportive environment for colleagues at all levels.

You’ll be joining at us at an interesting and challenging time as we aim to deliver transformational positive changes for the benefit of the borough and its residents, within our medium-term financial strategy and against a growing demand for services.

It’s also an exciting time, with lots of opportunities ahead of us. We’re working towards a new combined authority for the North East, which will unlock significant investment and decision-making powers for the area.

The new Sage Arena, conference and exhibition centre will act as a catalyst for development opportunities along the River Tyne and beyond – delivering a River Tyne Renaissance. The impact of The Sage will build confidence in development along the River Tyne, where there is potential for up to £2billion of investment in new homes, offices, leisure and cultural attractions, along with major public transport extensions. The regeneration on Gateshead Quays will create one of the UK’s most dynamic visitor destinations, bringing an estimated 1million+ additional visitors and thousands of jobs to the south bank of the Tyne.