Member Article

Newcastle city centre set for £3m makeover

Newcastle Council is set to approve a £3m improvement package to kick start the transformation of the city centre into a leading leisure destination.

The transformation programme, according to officials, will lead to a more attractive cleaner, healthier and safer city centre to meet the needs of every resident and visitor to Newcastle.

The initial makeover will start with a clean-up on Northumberland Street and its side streets in the heart of Newcastle’s retail quarter.

These will become clutter-free and more accessible spaces with new street furniture and improved public realm, with bespoke and managed areas to be introduced for street trading, events and entertainment.

Subject to consultation, Blackett Street will be changed to remove buses on a trial basis, offering cleaner and improved spaces that give priority to pedestrians and cyclists, and provide easier access to the wider shopping, leisure and cultural quarter.

Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth at Newcastle City Council said: “Newcastle is a great city and one that never stands still. Our plans for the city centre set the scene for the type of place we want to be, and we need to be bold and ambitious for its future.

“As the regional capital of the North East, our vision for the city centre can only be realised by taking a long term and collaborative approach, working with partners to deliver lasting economic growth that everyone can benefit from. This puts people at the heart of our plans, and helps to make Newcastle a truly accessible city for all.”

Working alongside partners NE1 Limited, local businesses and stakeholders, the council want to maximise the potential of complementary improvements already taking place in the city to extend its retail and cultural offer.

Sean Bullick, Chief Executive of Business Improvement District (BID) Company, NE1 Ltd added: “There has been significant investment in other shopping and leisure areas in the city centre, including Intu’s Eldon Square and Grey’s Quarter, and by retailers including Fenwick. We are delighted to see progress being made on Pilgrim Street too.

“We now need to connect all those areas up by curating the city centre to increase footfall and dwell and to improve the relationship between the retail and the leisure offer. This initial investment and the interventions planned really up our game, and support our ambitions to become an international destination of choice.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →