Newcastle City Council and NE1 has appointed Cushman & Wakefield and FaulknerBrowns Architects to produce a strategy to transform the city’s Northumberland Street area in a bid to become a top European retail and leisure destination.
A number of interventions to boost footfall to the area, which is home to department store Fenwick will be considered, including enhancements to the existing public realm as well as other opportunities to transform its role as a key driver of the wider City.
John Percy, Partner and Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Retail Development Team, says: “It is rare to have such a great opportunity to help develop and implement a strategy to drive the performance of this unique part of this striking city and we are thrilled to have been appointed. High street shopping is changing, and the scale of commitment and ambition to keep Northumberland Street at the heart of Newcastle’s commercial landscape is clearly presenting an opportunity in the city.”
Ben Pretty at Cushman & Wakefield, who is project managing the commission, supported this adding: “The Northumberland Street area can capitalise upon and complement the distinctive and diverse commercial and economic asset base and offer of the wider city. We are very excited to be working with NCC and NE1 on this flagship opportunity.”
Tania Love, Director at FaulknerBrowns, comments: “It is a privilege to be contributing to such a significant and exciting opportunity right on our doorstep. Building on the success of our refurbishment of Monument Mall, we look forward to bringing our national and international experience of sustainable place-making in retail environments to our own city centre, strengthening Newcastle’s historical, cultural and retail offer and improving connectivity to other parts of the city.”
Newcastle City Council is already investing in the city centre at East Pilgrim Street, Stephenson Quarter, Science Central and other projects to drive the city’s economic growth and attractiveness to inward investors, local businesses, workers, visitors and residents.
Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development at Newcastle City Council said: “This is an essential piece in the jigsaw that will help inform and shape our ambition to transform Northumberland Street into a world-class shopping and leisure destination.
“Cushman & Wakefield and FaulknerBrowns both have extensive expertise in the retail and commercial sectors, and we look forward to the findings that will help drive improvements, stimulate investment, grow the city’s economy and create employment opportunities.”
