BIGG MARKET PROJECT SECURES 12 MONTH EXTENSION & CONFIRMS LATEST PROJECT

NE1’S BIGG MARKET REGENERATION PROJECT TO CONTINUE INTO 2021 

The multi-million pound regeneration of the historic Bigg Market in Newcastle, delivered by NE1 Ltd, will continue into 2021 after securing an extension from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The £3.2 million project has already seen the award-winning transformation of the public realm and the restoration of the facades of five properties in the area as well as the redevelopment of the famous Victorian WCs.  The project has stimulated further private investment which could yet exceed £65 million. 

News of the project extension comes as NE1 announces its seventh building to be restored as part of the regeneration programmeGrade II Listed, number 8 Bigg Market, home to Kafeneon, a Greek restaurant which has been one of the mainstays of the Bigg Market for over twenty years, will be restored with support from NE1 and Heritage Fund grant funding. 

After seeing the redevelopment and regeneration of the area, Kafeneon owner, Daniel Stamatelopoulos was encouraged to work with the team at NE1 to restore the 18th century building to its former glory.  Work is due to commence in January.  The work will include roof repairs, replacement of windows, structural repairs and the removal of render from the façade. The works are expected to take 3-4 months. 

As part of the public realm redesign, the Bigg Market was completely remodeled with the installation of new seating, lighting and of course the inscription of the famous Blaydon Races lyrics into the decorative stone seating.  This work was completed on time and on budget in 2019 and earlier this year won the Lord Mayor’s Award for landscape design for its impact and improvements to the area.    

The judges were particularly impressed that mature trees in the Bigg Market were retained and that the redesign of the area enhanced the views towards the Cathedral and Castle.  

They also noted that the improvements to the streetscape had catalyzed multi -million investment in the wider area 

To date, five properties have all been transformed as part of the NE1 project including; 41 – 43 Groat Market which is now occupied by Meat:Stack; the historic Victorian men’s toilet building now a wine bar named WC Newcastle,  26 Cloth Market home to Koh-I Noor, 27-31 Groat Market (CosyJoes) and 44-48 Cloth Market (Pumphreys).  Work is ongoing on Balmbra’s and this latest announcement will mean 7 properties have benefitted from NLHF funding. 

Commenting on the project Danial Stamatelopoulos, Owner of Kafeneon said: 

NE1’s redevelopment of the Bigg Market has given the area a completely new lease of life and gave me confidence to invest in the redevelopment of the building we have called home for over 20 years.  In spite of Covid and the difficult times we are currently experiencing, we knew the time was right to invest in the redevelopment.  We have witnessed the transformation of the Bigg Market, literally on our doorstep, and we are excited to be part of the next phase which will hopefully be timed to coincide with us coming out of lockdown. 

Alex Slack, Project Manager for the Bigg Market at NE1 said: 

“We are delighted to be extending beyond 2020 with our seventh repair and restoration project and are looking forward to working with Daniel and his team at Kafeneon – which has been an institution in the Bigg Market for over two decades.  We are seeing real positive change in the Bigg Market these days and are delighted to be staying behind the wheel for a further 12 months.  We recognize the challenges our businesses face in these uncertain times so it is especially pleasing to be able to offer funding to help Daniel protect his investment in the long term.” 

David Renwick, Area Director North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: 

The Bigg Market has been a tremendously successful project and has had a completely transformational effect on the area and its fortunes.  NE1 has done an incredible job which has been recognized in the Lord Mayor’s award for landscape design and we look forward to seeing future successes as it works to restore other historic properties in the area. 

Grants are still available and NE1 is urging any property owners or businesses interested in playing their part in the Bigg Market redevelopment to get in touch.  Contact: 

Alex.slack@newcastlene1ltd.com 

The Heritage Fund grant awarded to rejuvenate the Bigg Market was £1.6 million, with match funding contributions from NE1, the City Council and landlords themselves.  The project pot is worth in excess of £3.2m. 

Since the work started in 2018 over 200 new jobs have been created and over £3.5m privately invested with a number of new businesses launching within the area including, Meat:Stack, Revolucion de Cuba, HiveTree, Pumphrey’s Blues Café, Hibou Blanc and The Points, Market Shaker and WC Newcastle.  

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