Historic site a sorry sight
A HISTORIC Tyneside landmark is now at risk, almost a decade after closing, experts fear.
Nearly 10 years since ‘last orders’ were called, The Cooperage has become a sorry sight on Newcastle’s Quayside.
Broken drain pipes and a lack of upkeep have put the historic building at risk , Historic England has said.
But the building’s owners have admitted they have no plans for the future of the site, meaning it is likely to continue to sit empty and deteriorate further.
Kate Wilson, principal adviser for the heritage at risk register at Historic England, said it was a “disgrace” that such an important part of the city’s history was being neglected in this way.
Manners Ltd, a company connected to The Apartment Group, bought The Cooperage in 2010 for £370,400, according to Land Registry documents. Apartment Group admitted it has no plans for the building, which is one of the oldest in the city.
Ms Wilson said: “We have been trying to engage with the building’s owners.
“If nothing else, it needs to be maintained but we would want to see it brought back into use, even if just temporarily.
“It is a timber-framed building, one of the few that is still complete, which is one reason it needs to be looked after.
“We understand it must seem like quite a daunting task for the building’s owners but we want to advise them and engage with them.”
The Cooperage is the most complete late medieval timber-framed building in Newcastle and dates from the first half of the 16th century.
It is one of the former merchants’ houses, which survived the Great Quayside Fire of 1854.
Although one of Newcastle’s oldest buildings, it didn’t become a pub until relatively recently, in 1974.
The pub closed in 2009, despite much opposition, after residents in nearby flats complained about the noise.
Historic England says it believes the building would be viable as a pub or restaurant.
Ms Wilson said: “It’s not exactly a barren wasteland down on the Quayside, the Quayside is doing well for bars and restaurants at the moment, a lot better than it was before when it closed.”
Despite confirming there are no plans in place for the Cooperage, Apartment Group did not not elaborate further.