Eldon Square extension
I should confess first that this picture was taken about a month ago. I’ve had quite some backlog of photos taken; I do try and keep them recent, but it’s difficult especially as I can’t get into town every day. So this area may have changed quite a bit since then.
When I first moved to Newcastle, there was a Safeways supermarket here, to one side of the Green Market – pictures here. I liked the Green Market, but it’s been closed for a couple of years now. The council say it’s just been relocated to High Friars, but I don’t like it there at all. It’s just not the same.
This is what it was knocked down for. A big Debenhams (currently the nearest one is South Shields or the Metro Centre) with lots more retail space.
As with Haymarket Hub, I can’t help but wonder whether there will be businesses to fill the waiting space. The world is very different now from how it was when these plans were drawn up. It would be horrible to see the lots lying empty.
I think the exterior is a big improvement on the old building but they could never improve the interior. When my granddaughters were younger we used to spend most Saturdays in the town. The itinerary included Fenwick’s, Grainger Market, Eldon Square and the Green Market. Apart from the fruit and veg. there so many quirky little shops. One sold ballet equipment, another did horse riding gear but the biggest draw was the hippy shop which was full of weird and wonderful stuff, it was called Dances with Unicorns, I think. We always ended up in Mark Toney’s on Grainger Street for ice creams all round.
DANCES WITH UNICORNS!!! I wanted to mention that place but couldn’t think of the name. Thanks Alf.
My mother in law used to have a stall in there selling horsey gear – 1980 or so? but that might be way too early for what you are talking about….
Oh dear our itinerary was Bigg Market, Grainger Market, Green Market and then Mark Toney’s for a Walnut Glory for me – a French Salad Sandwich for Mam, a Knickbocker Glory for Brother. But if too much money had been spent of meat, veg and staples – then it was a cornet.
Oh and we always went to the wool shop in the Green Market of all places and also the ends of bails of materials in the Grainger Market and M & S Penny Bazaar in the Grainger Market and we got weighed on the big scales outside the weighing house. 1d for grownups – 1/2d for nippers. Tram car home.
Thanks again Alf and thanks Mrs K. I love reading all your stories
Hi,
Firstly, it’s important to point out that Eldon Square was in need of revitalisation. CSC and Newcastle City Council’s project to bring it up to modern standards has been a long and ambitious one.Thanks for sharing this article.
Thanks for dropping in – and thanks for making that point; you’re right, in that this end of town was looking a bit sorry for itself. I still feel that the new Green Market is a bit soulless, but give it a few years and that may change