What's billed as the North East's biggest beer garden is currently taking shape in Newcastle in readiness for a spring debut.
Work on Central Park is under way in Times Square where a vast open space is being given over to the construction of pop-up bars, a food court and a giant stage. Within five days the area previously occupied by Paddy Fest just over a week earlier now looks entirely different, housing a mezzanine level - covered with fake grass - which overlooks a main 'garden' in the making which soon will be covered with themed seating areas, big umbrellas and potted plants.
Over the coming weeks, workers will complete the ambitious build - before those finishing touches are made and after that it will be a matter of keeping fingers crossed for the weather, says Mike Hesketh, one of the organisers of both Central Park and Paddy Fest. Central Park is set to welcome its first visitors from April 16 and over its four month run into the summer it will be hosting a programme of live entertainment, such as DJ nights and Kroud Karaoke events, plus screenings of live sports and a Eurovison night which last summer proved such a success.
