Welcome To The Grainger Town Project Chris Oldershaw, Director, Grainger Town Project

'Grainger Town is the historic heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, based around classical streets built by Richard Grainger in the 1830's and 1840's. 40% of buildings in the area are listed as being of historical and architectural importance.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, this once prosperous area of the city was overtaken by new centres of retail and commercial activity which eroded the economic base and left properties to fall into disrepair. Around one million sq ft of floorspace was unoccupied and the area's residential population was falling.

The Grainger Town Project was established in 1997 in partnership with Newcastle City Council, English Partnership and English Heritage with the aim of reversing this trend. A £120 million regeneration programme is now well under way and continued until the end of March 2003. It was anticipated that £40 million of public sector investment would be bolstered by a further £120 million from the private sector, but the latter reached £160 million!

Since the start of the project, great strides have been made in regenerating the area, improving the environment and revitalising business, social and cultural life. On 31st March 2003, the Project closed down, having achieved and exceeded its objectives. A number of major capital schemes will continue to completion, monitored by One NorthEast. Public Art and Creative Lighting schemes will also continue. Responsibility for the future maintenance and improvement of the area, and on-going schemes, will transfer to the City Centre Panel, supported by the City Centre Development Team, Planning and Transportation Division, Newcastle City Council (Contact: Alison Hesselberth 0191 277 8926).

This site provides a wide range of information on the aims of the regeneration project, our achievements to date and the help we can provide to individuals or businesses interested in developing their future in Grainger Town.

If you would like more information on any aspect of the project, please contact Alison Hesselberth or Peter Howe on 0191 277 8926.'