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Daltons Lane, SOUTH SHIELDS, NE33 1EX

Tyne Port Health Authority Building plaque Image

The Customs House is an arts venue in South Shields, South Tyneside. It was formerly a customs post, built in the 1860's for commercial shipping.

Two impressive Victorian buildings on the southern bank of the River Tyne at South Shields. The smaller building, on the right-hand side, was built in 1886. The stonework at second-floor level bears the inscription "River Police and Tyne Port Sanitary Authority" and it bears a blue plaque noting its use by the “Port Health Authority” between 1886 and 1995 Image However, Tyne and Wear Archives Tyne River Police Collection listing also says that a 'purpose built police station was built at Mill Dam, South Shields’ and Historic England list it as the River Tyne Police Offices. It is now used as residential apartments. Its larger, more imposing neighbour is the former Mercantile Marine Offices building which dates from 1863-4 and is now in use as “The Customs House”, a theatre and arts venue https://www.customshouse.co.uk/ . Both are Grade II listed buildings. River Police Offices: Historic England List Entry Number: 1232160 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1232160 Customs House: Historic England List Entry Number: 1232273 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1232273

The Customs House dates from 1863-64 and is now a theatre. To the right is the former Tyne Port Health Authority building.

This building stands adjacent to and is connected to The Customs House. The rear part of which is used for the performing arts. The front part of the building is now residential.

This building of 1863-64, by T.H. Clemence, architect (Borough Engineer) was originally the Customs House built just before South Shields was declared a separate customs port in 1865. The River Tyne Police and Port Sanitary Authority buildings next door were added in 1886. The Customs House was Grade II listed in 1978 and sold to the Arts & Live Music Association in 1981 for restoration and conversion into an arts centre. Work commenced in 1986. In the foreground is Image

Looking downstream towards the floating river ferry jetty.

The Authority was established in January, 1879 to combat the danger of imported diseases through the port. The building was used by the Authority until 1985.

The former Customs House is now part of the Mill Dam arts centre.

Built in 1863-4 when South Shields was still under the Customs House in Newcastle, but became independent the following year. The building on the right was the offices of the Tyne Port Health Authority.