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Grainger Town named best urban neighbourhood

Newcastle is celebrating after an historic part of the city won the Academy of Urbanism’s ‘Great Neighbourhood’ Award 2008 at a ceremony last Friday.

The Georgian quarter of Newcastle city centre beat competition from London’s Soho and Dublin’s Temple Bar. The NewcastleGateshead Quayside was also named as a finalist in the ‘Great Place’ category.

Andrew Dixon, chief executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: ““This award recognises the transformation of NewcastleGateshead as a world-class destination and the positive quality of life enjoyed by our communities. It also celebrates the shared vision and energy of all who have made Grainger Town a great neighbourhood.

“The award joins the area’s growing list of accolades and can only further build our reputation as a first-class place to live, visit, study and do business.”

The streets around Grainger Town were named some of the greatest in England by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment in May. Grey Street, headed by Grey’s Monument, has also been named ‘Best Street in Britain’ by BBC Radio Four listeners.

NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council representatives were at the ceremony in London where the winners of the Urbanism Awards 2008 were announced.

Marie Fallon, director of regeneration at Newcastle City Council, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award which shows how important we value this important quarter of our city. Winning this award indicates how Newcastle’s Grainger Town can compete with other cities in the UK and Ireland in providing a quality neighbourhood and this is reflected in its fabulous architecture and design.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .