South Shields was once famous for its shipyards and its coal mines, but the last ship builder (Readheads) closed in 1984 and the last pit (Westoe Colliery) in 1991. Today, the town relies largely on service industries, leisure and retail, with many residents commuting to work in Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne. For many years South Tyneside had the highest unemployment rate in mainland Britain, but between December 2002 and June 2004 unemployment fell by 24%, so the borough climbed up to 21st in the highest unemployment table. This was the 8th best performance out of the 23 local authorities in North East England.

South Shields has six miles of coastline and three miles of river frontage, dominated by the massive piers at the mouth of the Tyne. These are best viewed from the Lawe Top, which also houses the cannons that once defended the river.

The town has extensive beaches and the Leas, which stretches along more than three miles of the town’s coastline, is a National Trust protected area. Marsden Bay, with its famous rock, is one of the largest seabird colonies in UK.

The Grotto, a pub built into the cliff opposite Marsden rock, is the only pub/restaurant of its type in Europe.

As well as being the largest town in South Tyneside, South Shields is also the region’s most popular seaside resort, a status it has built up thanks to marketing itself as Catherine Cookson Country. Thousands of people come to see where the famous author was born and brought up, before visiting the fairground and promenade on the seafront.