Square set for vibrant future

Nov 6 2007 By The Journal

MORE than 25 million people visit Eldon Square’s 150 shops each year and now the 1970s shopping centre is being transformed by Capital Shopping Centres and Newcastle City Council at a cost of £170m.

The demolition by Thompson’s of Prudhoe has included the famous Greenmarket, the Argos store and NCP car park.

Completion of the build is expected by autumn 2009, with the mall fully open for business by spring 2010.

It will then boast an additional 410,000sqft of retail space with room for up to 22 new shops. Included in the redevelopment is a new four-storey, 180,000sqft Debenhams department store and a two-storey New Look.

The Argos store closed on June 21 and a new branch will open in St George’s Way, the new mall being built between the new Haymarket bus station and Old Eldon Square, in February next year.

Tim Lamb, general manager of Eldon Square, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the progress so far. Everything is on budget and on target.

“One of the things that has been notable is that despite the fact it is a huge demolition site, Thompson’s have managed the project extremely well.

“We have had no complaints about noise or dust, for instance.”

As part of the redevelopment, Old Eldon Square will be restored. Originally designed and built as a private garden by Thomas Oliver and John Dobson between 1825 and 1831, Old Eldon Square is the only green space in Newcastle city centre.

By 1915 the square had been opened to the public, with park benches, lawns and flower beds, which were removed during the development of the shopping centre.

The new look will include landscaping with new grass, flower beds, trees, shrubberies, walkways and seating.

The square will also have blue lights marking the pathways at night, lanterns ringing the perimeter and lights picking out the trees.

The War Memorial at the heart of the square will be cleaned and restored, and will be lit at night, while the square’s original sandstone wall with pillars and metal rail will be re-created around the north and west sides of the grass.

Coun Mike Cookson, executive member for planning, transport and regeneration at Newcastle City Council, said: “Our city is going through very exciting changes – a real sign that Newcastle is on the up – and the expansion of Eldon Square will bring major economic benefits and new employment opportunities.

“This means changes to traffic flow but we’ve taken every step to minimise disruption to motorists and bus passengers, and are grateful for their understanding.”