Paul Houston had made his way through St James' Park countless times before as a supporter, but not when the concourses were empty. "Wow," the contracts manager thought as he stared at the grey walls that perfectly summed up the uninspiring Ashley era that had come and gone.
It was Houston's first day on the job last May and the task ahead hit the 50-year-old there and then. Breathing new life into the stadium was going to be 'one of the biggest jobs' Optimal Decorating Contractors had ever taken on - in more ways than one.
"They did not have the lights on in the concourse areas at the time," Houston told ChronicleLive. "It was such a dull, depressing looking place.
