ONE of Newcastle’s historic buildings is to become the gateway to the ancient area where the city began.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has today awarded £1.4m to the Heart of the City Partnership for its restoration project Old Newcastle: Where the Story Begins.
The lottery money will see the revitalisation of the scheduled ancient monument and Grade I listed Black Gate, which dates from the 13th Century.
The Black Gate has been empty since the Newcastle Society of Antiquaries, whose library was based in the building, moved to the Great North Museum.
The aim is to bring the Black Gate back into public use as a fully accessible heritage, education and resource.
It will introduce visitors to and tell the story of the historic quarter in which it sits.
This includes the Norman Castle Keep, the Roman fort of Pons Aelius beneath the fortress, and the 14th Century St Nicholas Cathedral.
Digital exhibitions and learning activities will help tell the story of the history of Newcastle and its people.
