People might remember the well-known shoe shop that traded in Newcastle for nearly 130 years.
It's 15 years since George Rye & Sons at 41-43 in the Groat Market announced it was closing. The brand could trace its roots back to 1879 and a very different Newcastle - a time before Newcastle United was formed, before the Evening Chronicle was published for the first time, and even before the old town of Newcastle was granted city status.
Generation of Geordies bought high-quality footwear at George Rye & Sons, but the world was changing and in September 2007, the Chronicle reported that the shop was shutting for good. Co-owner Michael Rye told us at the time: "It was a huge decision to sell up and one that has not been taken lightly. Over the years our takings have gradually gone down because people don’t seem to come to shop in the Bigg Market any more as there are too many takeaways and restaurants.
