This paper investigates how heritage-led regeneration has transformed North Shields Fish Quay, a town in North East England historically known for its large deep-sea trawling fleets. Following the collapse of the trawling industry, ongoing fisheries crises, and unmet Brexit promises, fishing heritage has become a valued tool for social and economic development. However, this utilisation of heritage presents both opportunities and threats.
Situated at the intersection of contemporary archaeology and critical heritage studies, the paper employs archaeological ethnography and critical discourse analysis to explore the material and discursive processes of heritage-led regeneration at North Shields Fish Quay. The study situates heritage-making within the Capitalocene framework, arguing that heritage-led regeneration is a capitalist response to crises induced by capitalism.
The paper foregrounds the long-term exploitation and alienation of fishing communities, highlighting their physical and social separation from the landscape. It demonstrates that heritage-led regeneration profits from, perpetuates, and obscures these abuses. By critically examining the socio-economic impacts of heritage deployment in North Shields, the paper reveals the complex dynamics of regeneration efforts, questioning whether they genuinely benefit the community or simply mask deeper systemic issues.
