By Anna Robinson
As the plans for Monument Mall’s transformation move forward, turning a former Sports Direct store into a bank and bowling alley, all eyes are on Northumberland Street, Newcastle’s iconic retail thoroughfare.
The Reuben brothers, who acquired Monument Mall in 2021 for a reported £37 million, are set to relocate Lloyds Bank to the site, while Lane7 will bring its popular bowling alley to the basement. Although the rooftop restaurant and bar plans have been scrapped due to financial concerns, the broader redevelopment is already underway, with fresh shop fronts, lighting, and entrances designed to revitalise the area. A pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with street food and marketplace potential is in the works—part of the city’s long-term plan to rejuvenate its retail heart.
But the street’s revitalisation is far from smooth sailing. Northumberland Street, once the vibrant shopping hub of Newcastle, is facing serious challenges. While neighbouring Saville Row and Ridley Place have been modernised with new seating and greenery, Northumberland Street itself seems stuck in a rut. The once-proud flagship street now feels chaotic, with mismatched paving, unstable slabs, and stagnant water splashing onto pedestrians, leaving a less-than-ideal impression of the city.
The street’s architectural mishmash is part of the problem. With 1960s structures clashing against converted Edwardian buildings, Northumberland Street never quite matched the elegance of nearby Grey Street. While Grey Street retains its Georgian charm, Northumberland Street lacks a cohesive identity, and ongoing construction projects only add to the sense of disorder. Navigating the pavement has become an obstacle course, and with street entertainers, charities, and preachers vying for attention, the street’s atmosphere can feel overwhelming.
But, let’s not forget—this was once a street of dreams for retailers and shoppers alike. Northumberland Street is home to the flagship Fenwick department store, one of the city’s greatest retail treasures. It boasts national retailers like Marks & Spencer, Primark, and JD, but its reputation has been overshadowed by the city’s struggle to modernise the street’s public spaces. Even though it remains the second-most expensive location in the UK outside of London, the experience of walking down Northumberland Street is less than inspiring.
We spoke to Graham Soult, a retail expert who has seen Newcastle’s landscape shift over decades. Graham is candid in his assessment of the street: “Northumberland Street was never particularly handsome, but it has always been a mismatch of architectural styles. While Fenwick and M&S have invested in their facades, the street still feels incomplete, and the 1960s architecture left by T Dan Smith’s unfulfilled vision doesn’t help.”
Soult’s frustration with the slow pace of redevelopment is palpable. “Northumberland Street has been dug up and resurfaced three times since I moved to the city, and with this latest revamp it certainly feels like nothing is happening quickly,” he says. Much of the slow progress is due to the delicate balance between construction work and maintaining access to shops during peak times like Christmas, but the overall impression is one of stagnation. The lack of progress is particularly frustrating for those who had hoped for a faster transformation into the bustling retail centre Newcastle deserves.
The larger issue, however, may lie in the state of the city itself. “It doesn’t feel like a cared-for city,” Soult adds. “The streets are dirty, and there’s a lack of attention to the public realm. We can’t just invest in new public space and then not maintain it. Even though council budgets are tight, good housekeeping is essential. If the streets are covered in rubbish and grime, it undermines everything.”
But even with these issues, there is hope. Northumberland Street remains a highly desirable location for many businesses. Will Reavley, Senior Surveyor at Bradley Hall, sees potential for the street’s growth, especially as retail trends evolve. “Northumberland Street is still Newcastle’s top shopping destination,” he says, pointing to M&S’s multi-million-pound redesign and Fenwick’s recent renovations. Reavley expects the street to continue evolving with a greater focus on food and beverage offerings, which is evident with the upcoming Lane7 bowling alley. It’s a sign that Northumberland Street may be shifting into a more diverse, mixed-use destination.
Soult agrees. The opening of Deichmann, Sephora, and Søstrene Grene in recent months is, he notes, proof that big-name brands are still keen on Newcastle. Indeed, he highlights a growing challenge: that there simply aren’t enough large retail units available in the city centre for the flagship retailers, such as Uniqlo or Decathlon, that are opening in other big cities and might wish to trade here. With many retailers opting for out-of-town shopping centres, it’s clear that Newcastle must adapt to changing demands in the retail sector.
Grey Street, just a stone’s throw away, is undergoing its own transformation. Once home to banks, it has now become a hub for quality dining, embracing its architectural beauty while offering an appealing experience for both locals and visitors. Northumberland Street, in contrast, remains more functional—ideal for daytime dining but not yet a destination for the evening crowd.
But change is inevitable. As Soult notes, it’s better for a street to embrace diverse uses than to remain stuck as a mono-use retail zone. The arrival of Lane7 is an exciting step in the right direction, offering a glimpse into a more vibrant future for Northumberland Street.
Despite the chaotic construction and mismatched paving, Northumberland Street still has plenty of potential. The continued investment from retailers and the city council will eventually lead to the street becoming a true flagship for Newcastle, but only if the street is given the attention it deserves. With careful management, it could once again become the beating heart of the city—a place where visitors and locals alike feel proud to shop, dine, and linger.
The future of Northumberland Street is still being written, and the story is far from over. It may take time, but with continued investment and an emphasis on maintaining the public realm, the iconic street could soon be the vibrant retail destination that Newcastle deserves. Until then, we watch and wait, hopeful that the final form of Northumberland Street will be worth the wait.
