New exhibition centre for Tyneside

Redevelopment plans for Gateshead are pushing ahead as a new multimillion pound, state-of-the-art entertainment arena, and conference and exhibition centre have been proposed.

Gateshead Council in partnership, with award-winning property developers Ask Real Estate and leading investment and development manager PATRIZIA UK, are working with SMG Europe, a world-leader in venue management to bring a 12,500 -seat arena to Gateshead Quays.

The 10-acre site which sits directly opposite the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and between the area’s most iconic buildings, Sage Gateshead and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is planned to include an entertainment arena, conference and exhibition centre, hotel, bars and restaurants, creating a vibrant new destination on the River Tyne waterfront.

Gateshead Council Leader, Martin Gannon said: “We’ve wanted to regenerate and revitalise this key site on Gateshead Quays for a long time and internationally recognisable facilities of this scale have always been our long term aspiration.

“Not only will they bring new life to the area but they will bring new jobs and significantly boost the local and regional economy. An arena and conference and exhibition facility will also play an important role in complementing and strengthening demand for national and international conferences, exhibitions and events at Sage Gateshead and BALTIC, as well as acting as a catalyst for wider investment across Gateshead and further stimulating economic growth.”

Daniel Williams, Head of Development at PATRIZIA UK, commented: “We believe that this campus style development holds the potential to unlock a great deal of value and income for the local area. We look forward to bringing our significant experience working with mixed-use developments in the UK, as well as drawing on our pan-European investment management capabilities, to what is set to become a modern icon for the North East.”