As I write, the results of the Mipim Awards are unknown. However, if there was a prize for the loudest stand at this year’s show, it would undoubtedly go to Newcastle.
By 5:30pm on Tuesday, the DJ was already installed and banging out the tunes. It was, to be frank, all a bit much. Anybody wishing to have even a semblance of a sensible conversation needed to exit the immediate area.
Quite what Newmark, the New York-headquartered advisory firm next door that had clearly paid the big bucks at Mipim to mark its push into the European market – watch out CBRE, JLL et al – made of it is unclear. Ditto PATRIZIA, the neighbour to the west, which also just happens to be bankrolling Gateshead’s forthcoming new arena and international conference centre. Neither are organisations used to Geordie levels of hedonism, despite the latter’s local connection.
As it turned out, however, the Newcastle stand did have something to be excited about. After several long years, a solution has been found for the former Debenhams department store in the city centre. It has been known for some time that the bulk of the space will be turned over for a family-focused leisure and entertainment complex, but what had just been revealed was that the rooftop had been designated for a new music venue, among other uses.
As one enthusiast on the stand put it to me, aptly, “we want to turn up the volume”. The argument is simple enough. From Dire Straits to Sam Fender, Newcastle is known for its music scene, as well as for its dedication to a good night out. What better way, therefore, could be found to revitalise an ailing retail asset than to inject a party vibe?
But that’s only part of the argument. Sticking a (presumably loud) music venue on the roof of the former Debenhams makes sense from a town planning perspective as well. The new venue, which it should be said still needs consent, would be just across the road from entertainment complex The Gate that can – as I discovered on my son’s 12th birthday recently – get pretty loud and raucous itself. How can that be the case for a cinema-anchored development? Answer: it’s Newcastle.
Minimal impact
It should also be said that the site of the proposed venue is only a couple of blocks away from the Bigg Market, which itself is legendary for its decadence on Friday and particularly Saturday nights. To an extent, the rise of the quayside as an alternative party district in the late 1990s diluted the intensity of the Bigg Market’s bacchanalian tendencies, but the reality is that the impact was minimal.
Then there is the fact that precious few people actually live near the former Debenhams. Yes, there are some hotels and purpose-built student accommodation blocks, but families in search of getting little Jimmy off to sleep by 8pm these are not. The area is, after all, also close to St James’ Park, home to Newcastle United FC, the chants from which can be heard across the city on any match day.
For all these reasons and more, the planned new music venue makes sense, even if the location just a few short years ago would have appeared completely absurd. There is even a rumour that there will be slides to connect the roof to the levels below. What’s not to like?
As another property player in the city pointed out to me, cities need to lean into what makes them different and special. And there can be no doubt that Newcastle is a party city. Regarded in that light, a new music venue on top of a former department store is perfectly logical. Turn up the volume indeed.
Adam Branson is a freelance journalist, writer and editor
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