Newcastle unveils big plans to transform the city centre

Newcastle City Council has announced ambitious plans to kick start the transformation of the city centre into a world-renowned shopping and leisure destination.The council’s Cabinet is set to approve a £3 million package of improvements to initiate the transformation programme. This will lead to a more attractive cleaner, healthier and safer city centre to meet the needs of every resident and visitor to Newcastle, and provide lasting benefits and opportunities for generations to come.The initial makeover will start with a clean-up on Northumberland Street and its side streets in the heart of Newcastle’s retail quarter. These will become clutter-free and more accessible spaces with new street furniture and improved public realm, with bespoke and managed areas to be introduced for street trading, events and entertainment.Subject to consultation, Blackett Street will be changed to remove buses on a trial basis, offering cleaner and improved spaces that give priority to pedestrians and cyclists, and provide easier access to the wider shopping, leisure and cultural quarter.