Tuesday 28 September 2010

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 cafĂ© 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:

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

Sunday 26 September 2010

Match tweets: Newcastle United v Stoke City


  1. Post match blues... (@ The Strawberry) http://4sq.com/cc2zjM





  2. Stoke had one attempt on target but won 2-1. Go figure... 6 Pts dropped in last two home games. Bad day at the office... #NUFC#match











  3. 3-1 Stoke wouldn't be a surprise but 2-1 it remains. #NUFC awful today. Not at the races at all... Stoke killing game off now #match











  4. Six mins stoppage time at SJP #NUFC - Jonas squares, Nolan misses a sitter #match











  5. Stoke take a 2-1 lead - #NUFC been poor today. Hangover from Stamford bridge maybe. Couple mins left #match











  6. Last 10 mins #NUFC pushing forward - carroll's woken up and Routledge has had a good 2nd half - #match











  7. Tiote off, ameobi on for #NUFC - no creativity 2nd half. Stoke good for their equaliser. Routledge raising game but carroll v quiet#match











  8. And almost on cue, Jones equalises for the red n whites... #NUFCmust wake up. Note to Hughton: the long ball game won't work...#match











  9. Stoke pressing - #NUFC looking nervy. 25 plus stoppage time to go - need to assert #match











  10. HBA off for Jonas - one who can cross a ball replaced by one who can't... #NUFC #match











  11. Ten mins into 2nd half and #NUFC look shaky, incohesive and a bit nervous #match http://plixi.com/p/47306102











  12. Having not created too much, #NUFC still deserve to be one up if only because #scfc have come to frustrate - no invention. #match











  13. Some justification if #NUFC go in one up - Stoke are here to cancel us out... #match











  14. Nolan strikes - 1-0 #NUFC on 42 mins. It has broken up a certain monotony of any game involving Stoke - sent Sorensen the wrong way #match











  15. And out of the blue - pen to #NUFC #match











  16. Neutral start at SJP- no goals and ex mackem Jones on the floor. Someone ruffled his dreads... HBA and Tiote both looking sharp#NUFC #match











  17. V. Stoke City (@ St James' Park (Newcastle United FC) w/ 7 others)http://4sq.com/8w3Qzr