Mayor still 'confident' in stalled arena plans

THE North East mayor insists she is “confident” in plans to build a new arena on the Gateshead Quayside.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Huge proposals for a 12,500-seat arena and an international grade convention centre on the south banks of the River Tyne have stalled, with the expected cost of the development having spiralled.

A study has been under way recently to determine whether it is financially viable to push ahead with development on the empty building site, on a prime plot of land nestled between the Glasshouse music centre and Baltic art gallery, with the North East Combined Authority and Gateshead Council’s decision yet to be confirmed.

Whether the scheme goes ahead and in what form also has a major knock-on impact for Newcastle's Utilita Arena, which is meant to be replaced by the Quayside venue.

This week has seen the Government confirm a £120m public funding package to finally kick-start the development of Newcastle’s Quayside West project, an 1,100-home building scheme on the derelict former Calders leadworks site which sits between the river and the existing arena.