Grey Street’s transformation is being celebrated in style by NE1 and Newcastle City Council on Saturday 12th October with a day packed with festivities befitting the iconic Georgian street, often named amongst the most beautiful in Europe. A curated programme of more than twenty pop-up performances by a host of cultural talent from across the North East will take place throughout the day and along the length of the street from 11am to 4.30pm.
The celebrations are timed to mark the end of work on the street, part of Newcastle City Council’s investment to transform the city centre. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the day-long celebrations with performances from opera singers, ballet dancers, string quartets and solo performances from violinists, cellists and other classical musicians. Magicians, mime artists, and roving performers will entertain the crowds with actors performing extracts of famous works alongside live artists painting on the street.
The plinth in front of the Theatre Royal will host a range of shows including ballet performances, live opera singers and a brass band between 11am and 1.30pm, with pop-up performances in other unexpected locations on the street throughout the day, giving an element of surprise and delight for onlookers.
As well as enjoying the performances, the public will have the chance to get involved in the celebrations, taking part in an architectural photography masterclass, as well as enjoying live ice sculpting on the street.
NE1 has teamed up with Newcastle City Council to celebrate the completion of the extensive transformation which has improved the area for pedestrians and businesses and brought the overall quality of the streetscape into line with the stunning architecture.
Widened boulevard-style footpaths have helped to create an improved place for pedestrians with extra space for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Elegant seating inscribed with images and information about businesses that historically traded on the street provides a welcome space to rest and enjoy the planted rain gardens. The rain gardens serve the dual purpose of boosting biodiversity in the area, creating the ideal environment for pollinators, while reducing the risk of flooding. The new planters also help reduce the city’s carbon footprint, making the city centre greener while creating beautiful focal points on the historic street.
Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive of NE1 Ltd: “Grey Street is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country and now has the public realm it so rightly deserves. Newcastle is on the cusp of something special, attracting significant investment that is driving tens of thousands of jobs and economic growth. As the primary pedestrian route between the central business district and our famous Quayside, it is one of the brightest jewels in the city’s crown and it is right that it should receive investment, be protected for future generations, and be celebrated. I’m sure that Grainger and Dobson would be proud of this modern transformation and, with the construction work now complete, we look forward to seeing people’s reactions to this fantastic space.”
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “As well as celebrating the improvements to our beautiful Grey Street, the Grey Street Gala is a way of thanking businesses and the public for their cooperation during Grey Street’s transformation. We can’t wait to see both local people and visitors to the city enjoying the newly transformed area, celebrating the work’s completion and seeing how the changes contribute to the city’s sustainability and economic growth in the long term.”
These improvement works have been supported by the Department of Transport’s Active Travel Fund, and other government and match funding.