Town’s history for sale
HISTORY has been put up for sale by a cash-strapped Tyneside town hall desperate for funds.
Gateshead Council has put the Victorian old Town Hall, in Swinburne Street, up for sale along with a chunk of land surrounding the former heart of the town.
The Grade-II listed building was the council headquarters for almost 120 years and the sale would also include council-owned buildings such as Swinburne House which were previously used as a bank, a building society, and the borough’s first public library and post office.
Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said redevelopment could breathe ‘new life’ into the historic area.
He said: “This is truly an impressive site, containing some of Gateshead’s finest buildings and a major asset, not just to our town centre but to the historic culture of the region.
“The word unique is often over-used but not in this instance.
“This site has huge potential mixing old and new, and we are confident a visionary developer will bring new life to this once bustling and historic area, creating new jobs, visitors and opportunities for local people.
“The council has worked hard over recent years to breathe new life into Gateshead town centre and this site is another step towards its further regeneration.
“We are very excited to see what the future could hold, though clearly such a prominent site lends itself perfectly to a range of development opportunities.”
The Old Town Hall previously housed municipal offices, the council’s main debating chamber, a magistrates’ court with a cell block, a police station and a police house.
The 1.73 hectare site also includes two public car parks on West Street and Swinburne Street, plus further development land situated on Nelson Street and Swinburne Place.
Jonathan Wallace, Liberal Democrat councillor and opposition leader, has backed the council’s move to put the area on the market.
“We have got to regenerate that part of Gateshead in imaginative ways, and we need to bring businesses in.
“In three years Gateshead Council is going to be reliant on council tax and business rates alone, so it is important that we grow our businesses.
“It’s important we use whatever assets we have got in a positive way to regenerate our area.”
The site close to the Tyne Bridge is available for part refurbishment and part new build of existing structures and entirely new ones subject to planning permission.
Interested developers have until June 26 to submit an offer, and more information can be found at www.oldtownhallquarter.co.uk or by calling Cushman & Wakefield on 0191 2235717.