Newcastle’s beloved Grainger Market feels like a much brighter place in more ways than one.
The long-awaited sight of sunlight pouring through its newly-refurbished glass roof once again and the disappearance of stifling scaffolding after years of restoration works has been a huge boost for the historic Geordie institution. And its diverse collection of local traders are now revelling in a “really positive vibe”, having endured a difficult time navigating the perils of Covid-19 and the disruptive construction.
Stallholders who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) this week expressed hope that the market’s revival will continue apace – with city bosses having £9m worth of Levelling Up cash to spend on more improvements over the next year. Kay Quickfall, of Pet Lamb Patisserie in the market’s arcade, is relieved to see the back of the frustrating and heavily-delayed roof works.
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She said: “I feel like those of us at the two ends of the arcade had the worst of it – we were totally cut off and our footfall dropped by 50% once the scaffolding went up. I understand it had to be done, but it was a bit of a killer.
"If it was not for our outside orders, we would not have been able to survive based on passing trade alone. The fact that the works are reaching the end now is really exciting because it has been a nightmare – but none of that matters now and it all looks lovely. Lots of customers have never been in here without the scaffolding before.”
The 38-year-old told the LDRS that she hopes Newcastle City Council will spend some of its Levelling Up grant on making the Grainger Market “more inviting” to city centre passersby who are oblivious to its offerings. Kay added: “It is pretty easy to just wander past and now know what is in here.
“There has been talk of a food court as well, which would be really good. It is just really existing to see that we are getting some money spent. It has been a hard few years with Covid but now it is an exciting time for the Grainger Market – there are more customers and everyone is in a good mood.”
Sarah Coulson, of Matthew’s Cheese, agreed on the idea of a new food court that would offer space for customers of the Grainger Market’s growing array of foodie delights. She said: “A seating area would be good. There are lots of cafes and food stalls now, but you have to walk around with your food.”
Other suggestions for upgrades around the market include improved toilets and CCTV cameras to deter crime and anti-social behaviour outside its entrances, particularly on Clayton Street. Leslie Armstrong, who runs the Scented Melts stall, has been a vocal critic of the council’s management of the market in the past but now feels there is a “really positive vibe in here for the first time in a long time”.
The trader said: “I would just love to see the place painted and looking presentable. When you do projects like this, start with the basics. Get it looking fresh and bright and then you can worry about the other things later. They talk about marketing and rebranding, but you can’t rebrand something that doesn’t look good.
“There is plaster and paint peeling off the walls at the moment. But the roof is fabulous – it feels like it has been about five years, then all of a sudden it’s like ‘wow’. I just hope we can keep the momentum going, keep the ball rolling.”
Gift shop entrepreneur Tian Tang was thrilled to see the market’s roof brought back to its former glory, having been forced to move her shop away from the arcade to one of the aisles because of the damage that the major building works were causing her trade. She has urged the council to put more money into advertising the market on social media, in an effort to attract more young people .
Tian said: “It is the centre of the community, so if the council can promote it better on social media that would be great. There are a lot of elderly people who come to the Grainger Market because it is part of their routine, but if we can attract more young people too that would be good.”
For Jenn Gray, of Scorpio Shoes, her shop has already been a major boost – with a long-closed entrance from Nelson Street having finally reopened to restore easy access to the store. She told the LDRS on Wednesday: “Our door is open now, so I am content. And the light from the roof definitely has an effect – coming in when it is sunny is really lovely, it makes you happy and it makes the public happy. I just hope that the council can spend this money and keep regenerating the market, so that it can keep thriving and not go under like some other ones have.”
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