The Blue Carpet

Thomas Heatherwick would crash his Routemaster bus if he drove past and saw this shite.  The increasingly delapidated - literally (latin - to take away stone) public art project known as The Blue Carpet is becoming an eyesore.  The yellow-grey tiles with flecks of blue glass are crumbling faster than the council can lay new ones - and their stock of replacement tiles is depleting fast; the lights have gone out, benches flattened, thresholds nicked, lighting snuffed out, tree roots threatening to lift the tiles before they disintegrate entirely.  It's past its sell-by date.

It might be expected that a public work of art would look past its best after a while - especially if the maintenance costs are high or its bespoke nature make it impossible to replace parts - but this has looked shite for years.  

This project has been a joke from its first inception - and I mean Newcastle Council's efforts in installing and maintaining the project, rather than the designer's original concept - which I do like. The council have ballsed this up from the start.  I have worked in and around the area this square for many years, watched its development, and despaired at the delays, installation and demise.  It has seriously wound me up to the extent that, if pushed to offer my opinion on it, I am so utterly exasperated that I would be lost for words.   

I have always thought it was a good design concept with some novel and interesting ideas / features.  But the execution of the project's installation was disgraceful,  and the end result I found to be disappointing - especially the colour of the tiles: light blue at best.  On the plus side, it did turn an anonymous drab location - a dead end / cul de sac / turning circle - into a pedestrianised public open space which is certainly an improvement on what was there before.  And I concede grudgingly that it is a reasonably pleasant place in the summer - if only there were more than two benches to sit on.

The Blue Carpet was conceived or commissioned in 1996 as part of a Council sponsored Visual Arts programme, but budget constraints, technical problems other planning wrangles conspired to delay the completion of the project until 2001, with the partially completed site laying idle for well over a year.  But long period of disruption caused by construction work and delays when the Blue Carpet was being installed. This affected both visibility and access to surrounding premises and business for up to two years.

I attended some of the council's local consultation meetings where the details of the project and its installation timetable were presented to representatives of companies in the vicinity of the development.  The concept presented to us comprised a carpet of tiles containing recycled blue glass that would provide a rich shade of blue.  It was intended that the extent of the carpet would reach all the way to the spiral staircase "ribbon" next to the Crest hotel (Premier Inn at present) - the staircase would resemble a ribbon twirling down on to a blue carpet.  There would be underground illuminated display cabinets where the carpet had been pulled back to create a bench. It was intended that these cabinets would display artefacts from the Laing Art Gallery (whose doors open on to the carpet).

Budget constraints reduced the area of the carpet so that it ended well short of the ribbon staircase, the underground cabinets were narrow cavities filled with permanently-lit, multi-coloured, flourescent tube lighting, covered by a smooth toughened glass panel.  Healthy and safety concerns soon dictated that the glass was covered by transparent grip tape.

Flourescent tubes proved expensive to run and difficult to replace once they reached the end of their life.   In 2006, the flouresent tube lighting system was replaced by coloured LED rope lights - much dimmer than the original tubes.  They are permanently lit, and now most of them have gone out.

Delivery vans flattened two of the benches; they were never replaced - simply carpeted over. Thieves have stolen some of the thresholds - I didn't realise that they were actually metal - and they are screwed down in the same was as a carpet threshold would be.

It looks a mess and it should be ripped up.  It's a shame, it could have been so much better.  I just hope that the Council gets on with is East Pilgrim Street development proposals and creates a large pedestrianised square spanning John Dobson Street, to connect the Laing Art Gallery and the Library.

Malgosia's Polish shop Newcastle - Christmas Orders

Malgosia's Polish Supermarket in Newgate Centre, Newcastle, are taking orders for carp. Fried carp is one of the 12 traditional dishes on Christmas Eve's table. Anyone? :)">




Carp is also a traditional Christmas meal in the Czech Republic.  Fried carp and potato salad is eaten during Christmas dinner in the evening of 24 December. In Prague, I've seen carp for sale on most streets - there are barrels containing live carp; you select which one you want and it is killed, de-scaled and filleted for you.  

Malgosia's in Newcastle is primarily a Polish shop but it does have a good stock of products from other Eastern European countries including Russia. 

Małgosia’s Shop: Polish, Czech and Lithuanian FoodUnit 23,Newgate Shopping Centre,Newcastle,NE15REhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Polish-Shops-Malgosias-i-European-Foods/256761667707667


from: Dave's Russia Page: Friday Baltika treat from Malgosia's Polish shop: Just been to the polish shop, Malgosia's, in Newcastle to get myself a Friday treat - some bottles of Baltika.beer. Wehey! 

Central station

Here I am, enjoying a pint, in the Centurian bar at Newcastle Central Station before I set off for a few days down London.  

This is a great bar. According to its web site it was voted 'Newcastle's most impressive watering hole' by the Observer. http://www.centurion-newcastle.com

The Centurion is a former first class passenger lounge which was restored to its former grandeur back in 2000.  It was built in 1893 as a sumptuous waiting lounge for first class passengers, with impressive tiles and murals, but the lounge bar closed in 1960’s.  

It remains an impressive bar, but I think its some further refurbishment is long overdue as it is looking a bit worn and shabby in parts (upholstery, furniture and lighting); perhaps a minor revamp is scheduled as part of the current redevelopment of Central Station.  At night, though, the bar certainly still looks good, very atmospheric, with its mood lighting placed around the walls, illuminating the ornate tiles. 

An extremely pleasant place to have a drink before setting off on a long journey.

Glug glug glug

The Mmmmm deli in the Grainger Market has expanded its premises and is now selling real ale.  A wide range of bottled ales from around the world are stocked, along with wine and unusual cordials (elderflower, rosehip, nettle), in the adjacent premises under the appealing onomatopoeic name of Glug.  http://www.mmm-food.co.uk.  I've only just spotted the new shop, but it has in fact been open since APril/May 2013.

I do love Grainger Market.  One of my earliest memories of Newcastle, that I can date at least, is sitting in this cafe (below) which has recently become a Noodle bar.  It was cup final day 1974 when Newcastle were beaten by Liverpool.

I sat with my mam and looked out of that window over there.  Now that deserves another plaque! (see earlier blog post: David Williams Grainger Street plaque)

Advertising bill board John Dobson street

Walking along new bridge street west towards the central library, I noticed that the billboards opposite, on the intersection of John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street had been pulled down. 

My first thought was "oh, at last, they are going to build on this piece of waste land" - perhaps the commencement of the ill-fated / ill-timed /considerably delayed "East Pilgrim Street regeneration project. My pulse quickened. Are they proceeding with this scheme at long last?  By they, I mean Newcastle City Council.   A regeneration scheme for the area to the east of Pilgrim Street: an inverted pie slice shaped area bordered by the Central Motorway, was fist mooted back in 2007 /2008 but I think the plans were quietly shelved owing to the worsening financial climate,  credit crunch, impending recession, Government cuts, all of the above (the "Newcastle Council All-Purpose Tick as Appropriate Excuse Form" should be used here).   

I seem to recall in the plans, that this area was to be designated a pedestrian zone, and there was proposed a large public square on the intersection of John Dobson Street and New Bridge Street, which seemed to overlap or even replace the Blue Carpet square.  

The area behind the advertising boards is quite large. Sufficient room for a striking building to complement the new library building opposite. There is a ventilation shaft on this site, however, which may create some restriction on the size and type of structure built here.  Its irrelevant; and I needn't have gotten excited; a quick check on Newcastle's planning website shows that what is planned here is just more advertising hoardings - perhaps even illuminated ones.

Another Worswick Street drain pipe

It was raining all day in Newcastle today; it was generally a dark and miserable day, but I do love the effect the wet and damp has on making colours more vibrant - especially mosses and lichens. Here is a  couple of photos I took with my iPhone of the old Worswick Street bus station.

Newcastle Civic Centre wild meadow in bloom

Wild flowers next St Mary's church next to civic centre.

Chandless Estate flats demolition continues

I'm starting to get a bit obsessed with this demolition

Newcastle upon Tyne Daily Photo | A daily photo from around Newcastle upon Tyne | page 2

Newcastle upon Tyne Daily Photo | A daily photo from around Newcastle upon Tyne | page 2

New takeaway: Town Fry now open

As mentioned in my earlier post http://novumcastellum.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/new-chip-shop-pilgrim-street.html, the new fish and chip shop on Market Street / Pilgrim street is now open. As well fish and chips, it sells burgers and pizzas.

Last Friday, on its opening day, I was passing the shop and wrestled with the dilemma: hot fish and chips takeaway or the cold pasta with tinned mackerel waiting for me back at the office.  Fish and chips won the day, but when I went into the shop to order something, I didn't know what to get because the menu was displayed temporarily on each of three widescreen TVs above the counter - it appeared on one screen for a short period of time, then was replaced by banner of the shop name - but the menu did not immediately re-appear on one of the other screens.  I waited and waited; but no menu.  No menus on the counter either.  So I left and bought a sarnie from Greggs instead (I left my pasta and mackerel treat for another day).

Sorry Town Fry - the moment had gone.  Fancy electronic displays might be the future, but good old fashioned Point of Sale material is what you really need in a takeaway.

Grainger Market: The pizza that sells like hot cakes

Grainger Market: The pizza that sells like hot cakes: While big chain restaurants invest huge amounts of money on improving their brand name it seems that the word of mouth still serves well for...

New chip shop - Pilgrim Street

Following from my post of 5th September 2013 http://novumcastellum.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/new-cafe-bar-for-blue-carpet-square.html , this is another business that I was glad to see the back of: Pizza al Taglio, on the corner of Pilgrim street and Market Street. 

There has been a succession of failed takeaway businesses at this location so don't know if it's in a difficult position for a takeaway (probably not since there are two sandwich shops nearby and a Pizza/kebab shop nearby) or if there were just flawed businesses . Following the demise of O'Brians sandwich shop, there was, I think, a Polish venture called Pierogi. I don't know what they sold, I don't know if it was even Polish; but I do know that in Russian, the word Pirogi means "pies" - and that looks a bit similar to Pierogi. Not a good start to a business if passers by - your potential customers - have to guess what you are offering. 

This cafe/ takeaway - whatever, soon closed.  In its place, a pizza slice takeaway opened. At least it was clear what they were selling even if you couldn't work out what the takeaway was called - they did take the trouble to explain, perhaps condescendingly, how to pronounce the name, by adding a translation to the shop sign (Peets-al-tal-yo). 

OK I found that a bit irritating, but my main problem with the shop was that it was promising authentic Italian pizza experience - freshly prepared, using fresh ingredients to an authentic rustic Italian recipe - what a crock of shit. I did try one- I must admit I was sold on the description and they did look appetising. But, it wasn't fresh or authentic, nor was it fast food. I expected that there would be a proper wood firing oven in which whole pizzas were cooked, ready to be sliced and served up. No, there were no cooking smells in the shop, no heat from the kitchen, in fact, no sense of anything being cooked at all on the premises.  What I got was a precooked slice of pizza which was then put in a microwave or steamer (or something) to warm it up.  Very disappointing, about as authentic as Pizza Hit slices and not as tasty; and certainly not a patch on that other pizza slice company"Fresh Pizza By The Slice" in the Gainger Market: http://graingermarket.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/pizza-that-sells-like-hot-cakes.html, http://www.newcastleeats.co.uk/post/18612079659/review-of-pizza-by-the-slice-grainger-market.

Passing this shop last week, I noticed that there was a new sign above the shop "Town Fry" and a poster in the window announcing that a traditional fish and chip shop will be opening soon.  I'm not sure if there will be enough demand for fish and chips at this location - on a lunchtime at least (I'm sure I might be tempted), but I wish them success in this venture.

Grainger street plaque

I'm sure I was at school on that day!

http://openplaques.org/plaques/4750

Reet lush beer

Sign outside the Brewdog bar on Dean Street. If it was in the Bigg Market, it might have said "propa lush beer in ere hew". This is a canny bar, serving real ale, on Dean Street. I

Gateshead flats demolition continues

One down, one and half to go. Of the three flats being demolished adjacent to the flyover, the second has been gutted and is being picked apart piece by piece. I took this pic this morning from the car with my phone (I was a passenger, of course). I wish I could just get out of the car with my SLR and take some decent shots.
More pictures

Sunny morning in Dunston

Dropped my car off at Jennings Ford at Dunston yesterday morning at 8am, and enjoyed a pleasant stroll along the Teams, as I awaited a lift into town, just when the first rays of the sun started to poke through the clouds. So I took some pics of the flats.

Mad hippy dancer on blue carpet

Today we were treated to a lone dancer performing on the blue carpet. She was knocking out some strange freestyle hippy moves accompanied by a bongo player.  This went in for about half an hour - she was obviously enjoying herself. 

The Dun Cow pub - Gateshead

I ran past this building today, which is just across the Tyne Bridge on the Gateshead side and I thought "didn't this used to be a pub". I then started racking my brains to remember what it was called. As I got user I saw this image of a cow on the door "aha! The Dun Cow!" (at least I think it was - I haven't checked yet).

Pons Aelius

Pons Aelius- the original Latin name for an ancient crossing on the Tyne - and a name I considered for this blog. This bas relief on the side of the old BhS store on Northumberland Street has thankfully survived the redevelopment of the site for the Primark extension. Past his loads without paying much attention to it. Quite like it now.

New cafe-bar for the Blue Carpet square

I hesitate in celebrating the closure of any business in the north east- not just because of the impact it has on the lives of those people affected, but because I want to see a vibrant, thriving and well developed retail sector (and economy) in the north east, and take no pleasure in any set backs or failures.

However, some economists argue that recessions can be good for clearing out 'dead wood' to make room for strong new growth. I .e. - failing businesses can hog resources and finance (customers even?) which could be better employed elsewhere - they crowd out investment which could be supporting the development of new or stronger businesses. In this respect, I am glad to see the back of these two businesses: Fusion bar and Supashop newsagents and takeaway.

Back in year 2000, or so, there were two thriving businesses on what is now the (abysmal) blue carpet square on New Bridge Street. One was a newsagents, which had expanded from a small narrow unit with little stock to a larger unit with quality wooden shop fittings and an extended range of stock which included alcohol and some food. Next door was a cafe called The Sour Pickle. This cafe also sold takeaway sandwiches and other food. On a lunchtime, the cafe would be jam packed- all tables occupied and a queue of people waiting to be served. and there would be a queue of people out of the door, most days, wanting to buy sandwiches. The bacon, chicken, cheese, and coleslaw in a sun dried tomato ciabatta bun was my favourite - a bit of mouthful to order, but I rattled the order off like a New Yorker, I was tempted to ask for a cuorrfee to go.

I say they were thriving businesses, but they both no doubt suffered from the long period of disruption caused by construction work and delays when the blue carpet was being installed. This affected both visibility and access to the premises for up to two years (the project ran into funding difficulties and there were technical problems in creating that right shade of yellow-grey tile - so essential for a blue carpet).

Anyway, around this time, the owners of the newsagents and the cafe separately decided to sell up, and a single buyer bought both businesses. The new owner gutted the cafe, rearranged the layout, painted a royal blue colour and renamed the cafe "Cafe Blue". He got rid of all the friendly young fit lasses who worked in the Sour Pickle, and kept on the miserable old boiler. The place died on its arse. In the meantime, the newsagents was similarly gutted and then went through a 13 year period of constant renovation and reorganisation without any obvious improvements resulting - the phrase "you can't polish a turd" springs to mind here as being an apt description of the result of their efforts.

Cafe Blue closed down and the premises were refurbished - initially to a decent standard. Fusion Bar opened in its place and it first it seemed to be quite a pleasant place to have a drink, although it was a bit on the small side. Unfortunately, it was not long before it started to go down hill. A website called The Burglars Dog (which hilariously but viciously provided reviews of all the pubs in Newcastle - tracking their constants changes and fortunes) described the change as if it were a crack den where anything decent or of value and been ripped out and sold for drugs - leaving a depressing shitty hole in its place - I paraphrase here cos i can't find the original review, so I am not doing justice to the Burglars Dog reviewers description). Further developments saw the partial merger of both premises - they knocked a hole in the wall for a door, but access between the two premises was impeded by a supporting column.

Unbelievably, both business limped on for many years until they finally closed earlier this year. I have now heard that the original owner of the newsagents is hoping to open a cafe bar here in October, which will be called "The Laughing Tiger". It's a bit of an odd choice of name, especially since there is a cafe nearby, on the base of block of flats above John Dobson Street, called The Laughing Cat. Is he trying to prove that he is the top cat in town?

Worsick Street drain pipe

There is much that is photogenic in Worswick Street in Newcastle, but today I will limit myself to posting a picture of a drainpipe.

Scorchio again in Newcastle

Lunchtime yesterday, red hot again, so decided to go for a little run / explore around the back of Newcastle central station and down to the quayside past the rabbit warren of paths and steps beyond the remains of the city walls.

Trolley Sculpture behind the Central Station on Orchard Street / Forth Street (Near the Telegraph pub) DNA DL90 by Abigail Fallis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/tyne/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8295000/8295356.stm

Turnbull Building, Newcastle (behind Central station, overlooking the Tyne)

The High Level Bridge, viewed from the Newcastle side

Under arch of High Level Bridge looking to the Turnbull building

Newcastle Keep beyond City walls

The Tyne Four Bridge Challenge

Scorchio in Newcastle this week - too hot to be stuck in work, too hot to be stuck in the gym - better to get outside for a run. This week, I've been doing what i've terrmed the "Four Bridge Challenge" (the numeric value of the challenge is determined by the number of bridges over the Tyne, which have been crossed on a run, or the number of times a bridge has been crossed). It doesn't matter really, I just run different routes for variety, but the last couple of days I have ran the following route which i just over 3 miles: Worswick Street to the Tyne Bridge - across to the Gateshead side, past the Central pub, behind the Hilton hotel, to the High Level bridge then back across to Newcastle. Then up past the Central station to the Centre of Life to the Redheugh Bridge. After crossing the Redheugh to Gateshead again, down to the banks of the Tyne then on to the Swing Bridge. The Gateshead side of the Swing Bridge roughly marks the 3 mile mark. After crossing the Swing Bridge, I headed back to BodyZone gym on Carliol Square via the killer hill of Dean Street.

Today, I did the same route but couldn't really be arsed to run, so I took some pictures instead at various intervals on this route.

Former Bus Station, Worswick Street

Swing Bridge and Tyne Bridge viewed from High Level Bridge (from Newcastle side) 

Under the King Edward VII Railway bridge - Gateshead side

Under the Metro bridge (Gateshead side)

Metro Bridge (Gateshead Side)