Capital&Centric heads to Gateshead with Old Town Hall plans

Capital&Centric is inviting the people of Gateshead down for free bites and beers to help shape the future of its civic quarter, as it unveils plans to transform the historic Old Town Hall and surrounding area into a buzzing new neighbourhood.

The Grade II listed Old Town Hall is the only surviving purpose-built Victorian town hall in Tyne and Wear. Once home to the council headquarters, the building has sat empty for decadesdespite its spot right in the heart of town.

The social impact developer is working alongside Gateshead Council and NECA, which has provided a £3.4m funding boost for the project, to bring life back into the long-overlooked landmark and surrounding surface car parks, to create a greener, more social part of the town centre.

The plans include:

• Around 250 new design-led homes for all

• Space for indie businesses like cafés, bars and restaurants to move in and add to Gateshead’s existing scene

• Loads of new planting and green space, including a pocket public park

• A series of vibrant, characterful green walkways connecting the River Tyne to the town centre, unlocking the connection between Newcastle and Gateshead

Before a planning application lands later this year, local people are being invited to explore the emerging vision for the site and share feedback on the proposals.

Residents, local businesses and the wider community will get the chance to meet the team behind the proposals, explore the plans, chat about the future of the Civic Quarter and share their feedback.

The drop-in event will take place on Thursday 4 June from 4pm-7pm at VANE, Orbis Community, 65 High Street, Gateshead, NE8 2AP. No need to book, just pop down anytime for a natter.

Martin Crews, Development Director at Capital&Centric, said:

“This is one of Gateshead’s most important historic buildings and a hugely prominent site in the town centre, so it’s really important to us that local people get the chance to see the ideas early and help shape what comes next. We want to create a vibrant neighbourhood that feels social, green and full of character, while bringing the grand Old Town Hall back into everyday use again. The consultation is all about listening to the people who know Gateshead best before we finalise the plans.”

North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said:

"We are getting on with delivering new homes across the North East by announcing funding this month alone to unlock nine brownfield sites for 1,122 new homes - but the transformation of Gateshead's Old Town Hall truly stands out. The Old Town Hall has huge, untapped potential as a unique historic landmark at the heart of our Mayoral Development Zone for Newcastle-Gateshead, one of the most exciting urban regeneration opportunities in the North of England. By breathing life back into an iconic building that has stood empty too long we're not only delivering much‑needed homes, we're preserving a piece of our shared heritage and creating a place that will once again inspire local people for generations to come."

Anneliese Hutchinson, Strategic Director Economy, Innovation and Growth at Gateshead Council said:

“The Old Town Hall is one of Gateshead’s most recognisable landmarks, and this moment marks a real turning point for the borough. Through our Gateshead Thriving regeneration programme, we’re not only restoring this historic building, we’re unlocking its potential as a catalyst for change - driving new life, investment and energy into the town centre. This is about far more than restoration. It’s about creating new opportunities, with high-quality homes, welcoming green spaces and vibrant places where people can come together and feel proud of where they live. We want the community at the heart of this transformation. This consultation gives local people the chance to help shape a new neighbourhood that celebrates our heritage while powering a confident, thriving future for Gateshead.”

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For those who can’t attend the drop in, there are loads of other way to get involved:

• Visit: capitalandcentric.com/project/gateshead-oth and fill out an online questionnaire

• Email: gatesheadOTH@capitalandcentric.com

• Call: 0800 689 1095 (9am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday)

The consultation closes on Friday 19 June.

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