Plans for Old Town Hall regeneration revealed

REGENERATION experts have revealed how Gateshead’s Old Town Hall could be transformed intro hundreds of new homes.

- COREENA FORD

The Old Town Hall was the town’s main civic building until 1987, but it has been predominantly empty ever since, aside from grabbing a starring role in an episode of Vera last year and providing temporary bases for a handful of social and cultural organisations while a permanent use for it was being sought.

That search came to an end last August when Manchester-based Capital&Centric snapped up the building, reviving hopes for its regeneration following numerous failed attempts.

Previous plans for the building involved proposals for a dinosaur-themed attraction, then an ‘Unnatural History Museum’ plan was mooted, but none of the proposals ever bore fruit.

The Capital&Centric team is now working up designs for the building and the surrounding land it has acquired, which it aims to turn into a focal point for Gateshead town centre’s regeneration, as well as a catalyst for further development.