Central Gateshead is a complex urban environment, with a dense core that rapidly reduces in scale and context as one moves away from the geographic core, which is both physically, and in the perception of residents, located between the Trinity Square parade and the entrance to the existing Tesco store between the High Street and West Street.
Physical relief is a defining feature of the Central Gateshead area, with a level difference of up to 70 metres from the Civic Centre to the Quayside. In addition, a number of distinct physical barriers obstruct movement between the centre and the river. These include the elevated structures associated with the rail link between Newcastle and Sunderland and the encircling ring of roads, many of which are heavily congested during peak hours.
The built environment is characterised by a disparate group of building forms, with a number of tall buildings, generally council housing blocks, interspersed by poorly related lower level structures. In particular, the retail core is dominated by a significant multi-storey car park that has fallen into disrepair.
The central retail area, extending from the original High Street, through the Trinity Square precinct to West Street, and south beyond Jackson and Charles Street, has clearly suffered decline over a significant period, to the extent that a relatively high level of value retail predominates. There is evidence of unlet retail space, particularly on the upper levels of the precinct, and the Tesco store, whilst trading well, is an obsolete form that relates poorly to the High Street.
Very substantial areas of previously developed land characterise the broader central area, following the failure and clearance of the heavy industrial businesses that historically provided employment. New initiatives are under way, particularly below the “lip” of the gorge, and include the Baltic, the Sage and a number of residential and hotel development initiatives on the north facing slopes.
