Bowling and banking but no rooftop dining at Monument Mall
Plans for the old Sports Direct in Newcastle take shape
Plans for a bank and bowling alley to move into a former Sports Direct store in Newcastle city centre have been approved – but proposals for a rooftop restaurant have been axed.
Newcastle City Council has granted permission for the Reuben brothers overhaul of the Monument Mall, which they bought in a reported £37 million deal in 2021.
Major refurbishment works will see Lloyds Bank relocate to the former Sports Direct location on Northumberland Street from its current home on Grey Street, taking over the ground and first floor of the site.
Leisure operator Lane7 is also set to move into the basement of the building, where it will create a subterranean gaming hub with bowling and other arcade favourites.
Council planners issued formal permission last Friday for a makeover of the prominent spot, which has been surrounded by hoardings for several months as work to transform it has already begun, including new shop fronts and entrances off the high street from Brunswick Place.
The city council said that the redevelopment would “bring a vacant retail unit back into use within the prime retail area of the city centre” and “deliver a high quality and sustainable design”.
The plans from Taras Properties, the development arm of the Reuben brothers’ business, had originally included designs for a rooftop terrace restaurant and bar, which would have overlooked Northumberland Street and Grey’s Monument.
However, that aspect of the Monument Mall revamp has since been dropped from the project. It is understood that the idea was deemed to not be financially viable.
In design documents lodged with the council, Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture said: “Brunswick Place provides an opportunity to introduce active frontage to both Monument Mall and Fenwick department store opposite. As an alternative route between Monument and Northumberland Street, it would be ideal for street food and a marketplace environment. Proposals are currently being developed by Fenwick for a planning application submission.
“There is an opportunity to further enhance the street frontage by facing the entrances to the basement and upper floor food and beverage developments within Monument Mall towards Brunswick Place.”
They added: “We recognise that any city centre development should design out crime and eliminate the fear of crime. In response our proposals look to activate Brunswick Place with new shop front entrances, lighting and signage. The proposals also look to remove the existing refuse bins, taking these off the street and providing secure storage both internally and externally.
“We have engaged with Fenwicks, who are developing complementary proposals, and the city council who are proposing upgrades to the public realm in this area as part of the City Centre Transformation programme. As a combined offer this will activate the street to pedestrians and through management and supervision, we hope to create a safe public space.”