Newcastle Quayside is part of the region's crown jewels - so, no surprise it's always been a primary focus for NE1 and a priority for our attention and investment.
Recent consultation with businesses also shows that they too regard the Quayside as a major asset with plenty of scope for further improvement, one of the last pieces in the regeneration jigsaw of Newcastle and the North East.
The Quayside is home to some of the city’s finest dining and leisure venues, combined with a high proportion of the city’s professional services companies and now it is the focus for significant investment. With bookend developments of the ‘Whey Eye’ wheel in the east to housing developer Newby’s plans for a £250m residential development in the west, and much more in between including the Gateshead Conference Centre; it is imperative that we get it right. We must make sure that the positive impact of all these developments is maximised. What’s needed is a cohesive, shared vision, one that provides a framework for an area with a distinct personality, a Quayside Quarter – that works for both banks of the Tyne.
With a shared vision for the area, new investment will make more of a positive impact because it will be joined up.
We all know the history; during its industrial heyday the Quayside and the river Tyne were the gateway to the world for this world-leading city. A legacy of this global influence is in evidence today with marine insurers North P&I, still a huge international player, based on the Quayside over 150 years since it was established.
New businesses are also seeing value in the Quayside. The old Brett Oil Terminal is to be developed by the High Street Group, By the River Brew Co is receiving national and international acclaim and recently it has been announced that world renowned architects Bjark Ingels have submitted ambitious plans for Grade A office space at the currently dormant Stereo Bar site at Number1 Quayside. These investments represent a total investment of over £600m creating some 2,000 new homes over the next 5-10 years on a 1km stretch of river reflecting the Quayside’s inherent strengths and the growing demand for this location.
Connecting all these developments through public realm improvements and making more of the river itself have unsurprisingly been the focus of NE1s efforts over the past few years on the Quayside. NE1’s early projects focused on delivering immediate improvements to existing Quayside assets, rejuvenating the Quayside Sunday Market and the creation of NE1s annual pop-up beach, the Quayside Seaside.
Other NE1 activations on the Quayside have been the creation of the Newcastle City Marina, which plays host to many river-based sailing and rowing events as well as providing berthing for hundreds of leisure boats and yachting visitors to the Quayside and city centre each year.
The marina has also provided an excellent platform for new river events and other river activity. The University Boat Race of the North is now a regular event facilitated by NE1 and sits well alongside a new Dragon Boat race, The inaugural event last year attracted 20 teams with over 200 participants. We also invited River Escapes, the Tyne leisure boat operators to run services out of the marina during the summer, joined by CBK Adventures offering kayaking on the Tyne in Summer and night-time kayaking adventures in the winter, both hugely popular attractions.
More NE1 projects in the area include creating the Quayside Relaxation Stations, providing much needed seating for visitors to soak up the iconic views and river-front atmosphere. We’ve also teamed up with Great Run Local to deliver weekly Quayside runs for office workers. These already attract over 100 participants and are expected to get even more popular with the summer approaching. In August, the Quayside will also play host to a weekend of Tri on the Tyne events – a series of competitions for beginners through to seasoned professionals – all set against the iconic backdrop of the Quayside, its bridges and architecture.
NE1 is committed to championing the ongoing evolution of the Quayside, working with stakeholders, investors and with local authorities to help deliver a vision for the Quayside Quarter that works for both sides of the Tyne – as well as continuing to explore what else can be done to attract further investment. A shared vision means just that – shared. The single most vital component for success is political alignment, with both Local Authorities on the same page regarding a Quayside Quarter. This will offer powerful and attractive encouragement for further investment and will be the best way to make the most of commercial opportunities that lie ahead.
With our international connections, including the Port of Tyne and Newcastle Airport we must exploit all our assets. But the region and its principle city are nothing if not resilient.
Newcastle remains a highly attractive proposition and is continuing to attract ambitious projects that will change the face of the city and the Quayside for generations.
www.newcastlene1ltd.com
