2023 looks to be an exciting time of change for Newcastle as council bosses promise to roll out multi-million-pound investments that will transform the face of the city centre.
Northumberland Street and Grey Street look set to receive a makeover in the New Year as part of the new projects, while foodies can look forward to the opening of Ridley Place as a trendy outdoor dining area.
Newcastle City Council has said that 2022 brought recovery from the pandemic and paved the way for the "exciting new developments" in 2023.
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A council spokesman said: “Overall, 2022 brought recovery from the pandemic and the beginnings of change, paving the way for new exciting developments in 2023 which with other construction projects will transform the city centre and strengthen its economy.”
They continued: “In the medium to long term, the council is focused on delivering a cleaner, greener, safer city centre in which everyone feels welcome with an expanded cultural and events programme that reflects the city’s character and love of life."
NE1, Newcastle's business improvement district NE1, agreed and said the investment is helping to "reshape the city for years to come."
Chief executive of NE1, Stephen Patterson, said: “What is particularly encouraging, looking ahead to 2023, is the delivery of the city’s stunning £37m retail core investment, with Ridley Place and Saville Row due for completion soon, and work set to commence on Northumberland Street and Grey Street in 2023.
“This is a hugely exciting time for Newcastle, with record levels of both public and private sector investment reshaping the city and, as a result, how people will interact and engage with it in the years to come. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and Newcastle is well placed to take advantage of it.”
Here, we take a look at what changes people can expect to see in the city centre in 2023.
Grey Street and Northumberland Street
Work will get under way to permanently widen the pavements on one of Newcastle's most beautiful streets as council bosses look to make it "more people friendly."
The pandemic led to a surge in demand for alfresco dining and saw many of the bars and restaurants along Grey Street expand with outdoor seating areas. This led to Newcastle City Council carrying out work to create extra space to accommodate the new hospitality areas, as well as walkers and cyclists.
And now the council has said it looks to make further improvements to the street which also include a wider pavement, new seating, and shrubs in special planters. Work on the latest phase of Grey Street’s transformation is due to begin in early 2023 and will not be finished until autumn 2024, a council spokeswoman told Chronicle Live in October.
The city's busy shopping street, Northumberland Street, is also set to benefit from a major revamp, with work due to start in 2023. This is set to include more trees, plants, and seating.
A council spokesman said: "Work will also begin next year on improvements to Grey Street, making it more people-friendly with wider pavements, new seating, trees, and shrubs while retaining water in special planters.
“Next year, early works to improve Northumberland Street will also begin."
Ridley Place and Saville Row
Work has been ongoing to transform two side streets that lead onto Northumberland Street into sought-after dining and leisure destinations.
And now the council has revealed that Ridley Place is set to "officially open" in 2023 as an outside dining area, with new seating and art installations. NE1 also confirmed that work to install seating and planters on Saville Row is set to be completed soon.
A council spokesman said: "Ridley Place will be officially opened as an outside dining area complete with new lighting, seating and art installations including eye-catching murals on gable walls creating a whole new experience."
Pilgrim Street
Construction work will begin in 2023 on the massive office block that will house 9,000 HMRC staff on Pilgrim Street. New offices further down the street at Bank House and Worswick Street are also due to be finished in the spring.
A council spokesman said: “Construction work will begin next year, and when the building opens in 2026 it will give a significant boost to the economy, especially the retail and hospitality sectors."
“New office accommodation further down Pilgrim Street at Bank House and Worswick Street is due for completion in spring creating new public spaces and gateway to the city centre."
Grainger Market and Old Eldon Square
In 2022, the council revealed plans to pave over Old Eldon Square as part of a £50m redesign of the city centre.
And in 2023 consultations with war veterans and other "interested parties" on the proposed transformation are set to continue. If the project gets the green light it would see the grass could be removed from the popular spot and replaced by new paving, seats, fountains, and planters.
Meanwhile work is set to continue on improving the city's much-loved Grainger Market with the council set to invest £7m of levelling up funding to improve its appearance and accessibility.
A council spokesman said: “The council remains committed to investing millions of pounds of levelling up funding in Old Eldon Square to improve access and its appearance – once it has consulted war veterans and other interested parties.
“We also secured £7m for exciting improvements to the Grainger Market. With traders, we plan to use this funding to make the market one of the finest in Europe."
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