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Newcastle entrepreneur and Blueline Taxi owner invests in Wallsend regeneration

Ian Shanks, who part owns family business Blueline Taxis, has acquired four retail units in Wallsend’s High Street West, as part of the Newcastle entrepreneur’s vision to regenerate his home town.

The sale, assisted by property agents and chartered surveyors Bradley Hall, has been completed for £400k, taking Ian’s investment into the high street to over £1.5m.

The four properties will provide 7,483 sq ft in space, including a largest space of 3,522 sq ft and three units at just over 1,300 sq ft each.

Now Ian is hoping the investment will help to encourage business opportunities in North Tyneside.

Ian said: “I want to bring the life back into Wallsend by providing high standard commercial properties for local businesses and national and international brands.

“We have a history of improving spaces to a high standard to provide tenants with a clean, professional and aesthetically pleasing environment.

“I was born and raised in Wallsend, Blueline Taxi’s was created and grown here, this is a great place to live and I want to create shopping and socialising opportunities for the people of Wallsend and the surrounding communities.

“Tenants will be in good company, with surrounding stores occupied by popular retailers and household names Peacocks, Superdrug and Iceland.”

Neil Hart, director at Bradley Hall said: “We have worked in partnership with Mr Shanks on a number of properties in Wallsend as part of his vision to create a once again bustling high street.

“We are supportive of the decision to invest in this area as we feel it has a high potential to be successfully redeveloped and attract a number of commercial tenants who will ultimately provide places to socialise, shop and work for the people of Wallsend.”

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