NE1 paves way for Newcastle's Bigg Market refurbishment

NE1 Ltd, Newcastle City Council and local businesses proudly have begun the redevelopment of Newcastle’s historic Bigg Market.

Contractors have moved onto the site to start the first phase of the public realm refurbishment, which will take six months to complete.

During the works, conservation specialists, Historic Property Restoration Ltd will be working hand in hand with businesses to minimise any disruption to trade and to the public.

The first block of work will commence outside on the South West quarter of the Bigg Market.

The redevelopment is the result of a successful NE1 Ltd bid for £1.6m Heritage Lottery Funding to transform the area, which with match funding from NE1 Ltd, Newcastle City Council and property owners, will finance the £3.2m redevelopment of the Bigg Market.

Adrian Waddell, chief executive of NE1 Ltd, said: “The contribution the Bigg Market could make to Newcastle’s economic fortunes has been overlooked for years.

“We’re excited and very proud to see this transformation get underway, a great example of what can be achieved with collaborative working.

“This investment will transform this long neglected area of the city and breath new life into its public realm and help provide an economically sustainable future for the important listed buildings that surround the area.

“We’ve got a great professional team working with us on this project, including Mawson Kerr Architects, Southern Green Landscaping, legal advice from Muckle and surveying from Artis. For them too, this is a big day and a great milestone reached.”

NE1 has made further private investment in the area with £41m already committed to neighbouring projects including the White Yard Development, The Malhotra Group’s planned Hotel and the arrival of Revoluçion de Cuba.

One of the major aims of the project is to restore the economy of the Bigg Market - reversing decades of underinvestment whilst re-establishing the area alongside both the castle and St Nicholas’ Cathedral.

The first tranche of activity will see the public realm areas of the Bigg Market refurbished with the creation of a series of levelled terraces, high quality street furniture, additional greenery and an improved lighting scheme.

The work will take six months to complete and during this time, NE1 Ltd will continue to work with businesses who are eligible for HLF grants to restore buildings and shopfronts.

Ged Bell, cabinet member for employment at Newcastle City Council, added: “This groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the redevelopment of the Bigg Market, an important part of our city centre’s character and charm.

“Over the last few years, the area has not enjoyed the same level of investment as other parts of the city centre, but this project will see that change and the Bigg Market will become a vibrant, attractive hub once again.

“Newcastle City Council are proud to be working alongside NE1 and the architects to make this vision a reality.”