Stunning, stunning Grey Street in the depths of a gloomy Toon winter. Slushy underfoot, the skies are as grey as the buildings are as grey as the depths of your soul. Warm imagined hands, inside the pocket of that flimsy raincoat. Hurry home for steaming tea and a fire in the grate.
The Central Arcade, accessible from on Grainger Street, Grey Street and Market Street.
It was designed in 1840 for Richard Grainger. The Exchange Buildings next door were designed as a commercial exchange but in 1869 the exchange was converted into an art gallery.
After a devastating fire it was rebuilt in 1906 and the Central Arcade was opened with entrances on all three sides of the triangle. The same as it is today.
Almost all of the building is covered in burmantofts ceramic tiles, with many strange looking animal heads and elegant lettering.
Now the Central Arcade is home to many retail outlets, the most popular of which being Windows, a local music shop selling everything from sheet music to plasma TV’s. There’s always crowds of people standing outside watching the football (or cricket) through the windows every match day.
It is also home to a official Tourist Information centre (which offers free walking tours around Newcastle), Starbucks coffee and Lush handmade soaps.
