Goodbye Eric

I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like...

The demolition of the "Get Carter" car park in Trinity Square, Gateshead enters its 9th week and as this photograph (taken today) shows, there's not long to go. The decision to demolish the car park was met with delight in some quarters - the brutalist architecture and concrete exterior was never going to please all who clapped eyes. Others who perhaps have an appreciation for this kind of 1960s architecture, who hold popular culture in high regard or who revere local heritage were understandably saddened by the news. But, could there really have been any justification for allowing this iconic structure to remain simply as a monument to a 1971 British gangster flick? I think so.

I feel the car park has, in part, been neglected and has suffered to a large degree at the hands of external factors. For most of its life, the car park has existed in a severe state of disrepair and indeed, in its latter years, has been closed for safety reasons. Original plans to build a café on the roof were realised but tenants were never secured and plans to provide access to the existing market square were poorly executed. Externally, the advent of the Eldon Square shopping centre across the river in Newcastle and the MetroCentre, a few miles along the A1, left Gateshead dead and buried, from a commercial point of view. And at the centre of this detritus stood the “Get Carter” car park.

In my view, the council are punching above their weight if they think Gateshead town centre’s prowess as a shopping capital is anything other than a thing of the past. The plans for the site are so contemporary and lacking imagination, it’s painful, and it’s fair to say, the only thought injected into this has been for maximising revenue and pleasing the residents. Residents who, for the most part, no doubt shop at the MetroCentre these days anyway.

To say the car park is ugly is subjective and a little too easy. Brash: maybe, dominating: definitely but ugly is such a harsh word. There were mixed views when it was announced that the Baltic flour mill (built only 20 years before the car park) would be converted into the excellent centre for contemporary art we all know today - in fact, the idea was heavily criticised. Dilapidated and in danger of collapse ever since the major fire suffered in 1979, the floor mill building stood amongst a desolate Gateshead quayside and stood almost staring in envy at the revitalised Newcastle quayside across the Tyne. These days, Gateshead’s quayside is unrecognisable and, along with the Sage music centre, Baltic stands as a monument to both history and the future. Baltic has since been warmly welcomed as an art centre and a local attraction, and, aesthetically, it’s a fine example of what can be achieved by restoring an historic building which otherwise was destined for demolition.

Given more thought, more imagination, the Trinity Square site could have been so much more. Much more than a car park, an eye sore or the signature of a shopping centre that serves no-one. Why not celebrate one of the finest British films of our time and laud its Gateshead connections? During the ‘80s and ‘90s proposals were put forward to convert the car park into an art space or events venue but it’s clear that the council were holding out for what every town centre seemingly needs these days. A shiny new Tesco.

What the future holds for the site is detailed here in this bright and colourful website:

http://www.yourtrinitysquare.co.uk/index.aspx

Amongst the planned of bevy bars, shops, office space and restaurants there is still room for... yes, you've guessed it, a car park...

"Get Carter" car park destruction continues

Work bringing down the Trinity Square car park continues unabated and according to the site foreman, there's 25% of it left and two weeks work remaining to remove the structure. Several weeks of ground work will follow but the Gateshead skyline will be so much different once this grand old car park is no more.

Big car park, but out of shape...

Date: 7th September 2010.
Location: Trinity Square car park, Gateshead.

Six and a half weeks into demolition and the Trinity Square car park in Gateshead is looking decidedly worse for wear. The east stairwell is all but gone and the whole north side is ragged and forlorn however the west stairwell remains, seemingly untouched thus far.

 

It seems early (and unsubstantiated) reports of a two month completion are optimistic. It'll be at least another six weeks at least before they're finished.

"Demon King" Brumby's castle crumbles...

Date: Wednesday 25th August 2010.
Location: Trinity Square car park, Gateshead.




Week 5 of demolition and whilst the references to Get Carter never stop, neither does the work on site. I had read elsewhere that the stairwells either side of the parking platforms were actually supporting structures. Maybe I’ll start keeping my distance to take photos for future updates…

"I have an awful feeling we're not going to get our fees on this job."

A beautiful day on Tyneside and the demolition/destruction of the “Get Carter” car park in Trinity Square, Gateshead nears its 5th week. Hard to quantify progress in terms of a percentage but suffice it to say, the days of this fine structure’s domination of Gateshead’s skyline are well and truly numbered. It’ll be a matter of a few more weeks, I imagine, until they’re finished. The sections they’ve removed so far are all on the side of the car park that faces Newcastle - approaching the car park from the other side it almost looks like nothing’s happened. The roof level, originally intended as a restaurant in both the movie and reality, is now detached from the walkway on the left and if you look closely, orange ticket machines are just about visible (just ‘above’ the trees). Wonder if they were emptied first…

Destruction of Gateshead's Trinity Square ...Get Carter“ car park - week 3

Thompson's of Prudhoe crack on, systematically nibbling away at each section and floor, and all the while spraying water to minimise dust dispersal.

“Get Carter” car park - demolition begins

A sad day for fans of the 1971 cult British gangster film, Get Carter, as demolition begins on the iconic structure which has dominated the Gateshead skyline since 1969.