Get Carter car park plans put on hold

Sep 18 2007 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A STAY of execution has been given to the controversial Get Carter car park, which was due to be demolished later this year.

Traders in the Trinity Square market, below the car park, have been told they can continue trading through Christmas following an agreement with developers Tesco.

Work is now expected to begin late in January 2008, as opposed to November of this year.

It was revealed in June that Tesco were to flatten the market and the multi-storey to make way for a new development.

But, following the agreement between the traders and Spenhill, Tesco’s development arm, the traders are to enter into new leases to cover the extended period.

Max Curtis, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco, said: “We are happy that we have been able to work amicably with the Gateshead traders and that we have been able to accommodate their request to stay in the Market Hall to January within our project plans.

“We support Gateshead Council’s vision for an ambitious redevelopment and revival of the town centre. This development will bring a wide range of much needed new facilities to Gateshead and act as a catalyst for bringing further, much needed, investment into the town.”

Spenhill is also to fund an advertising campaign for the market hall over the Christmas period.

Once vacated in January, Spenhill will progress with its plans which could include shops, offices, apartments, shops, banks, and cafes among other features.

Sue Roberts, of Mincoffs Solicitors LLP, advisers to the market traders, said on their behalf: “The market traders are pleased with the outcome of negotiations with Spenhill and they look forward to being open for business as usual throughout the extended period until January 11 and seeing their valued customers old and new.”

Regeneration chiefs have claimed the new development will bring in millions of pounds in investment and create hundreds of jobs. It is part of a larger 10-year plan to reinvent the area.

Mick Henry, Leader of Gateshead Council said: “Our economic development service offers free help to all businesses and jobseekers in Gateshead to find everything from funding or premises, to training and employment – this continues to be available for any traders who need support.

“A new centre with up to date shopping facilities is what local people have said that they want to see in their town centre.

“We need to boost our economy and attract visitors and residents who currently shop elsewhere.”

The grey concrete multi-storey car park was designed by Owen Ludder in 1964. It featured in a famous scene in the gritty 1971 thriller Get Carter, in which gangster Cliff Brumby was thrown from it by Jack Carter, played by Michael Caine.