Gateshead Civic Centre

Gateshead Civic Centre is a municipal building in the Regent Street, Gateshead, England.

Gateshead Civic Centre
Gateshead Civic Centre
LocationRegent Street, Gateshead
Coordinates54.9594°N 1.6035°W / 54.9594; -1.6035
Built1987
ArchitectD W Robson
Shown in Tyne and Wear

History

The civic centre was commissioned to replace the aging 19th century town hall in West Street.[1] After Tyne and Wear County Council was abolished in April 1986, Gateshead Council took on significant extra responsibilities from the county council and the old town hall was considered inadequate for the expanded role.[2] The new building, which was designed by the borough's Director of Architecture, D W Robson, was completed in 1987.[3] The design of the building involved a three-storey central square block, containing the council chamber and committee rooms, with four quadrilateral blocks at each corner of the central block, each containing offices for council officers and their departments.[1] The council chamber features four stained glass panels, a piece of art entitled "the Gateshead Story" which commemorates the lives of famous people from Gateshead.[1]

Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the new civic centre on 1 December 1990[4] and signed the visitors' book before departing for Blaydon to conduct the official opening of the new Blaydon Bridge across the River Tyne.[5] In 1991 three large stone figures individually depicting infancy, maturity and old age and collectively known as "The Family", which had been carved from large blocks of crystalline Cumbrian limestone by the sculptor, Gordon Young, were erected outside the civic centre.[6][7][8]

A refurbishment of the building, involving new desks and chairs for over 1,500 employees and a new public restaurant, was completed in 2012.[9] In February 2017 Prince Harry arrived at the civic centre to meet volunteers involved with the charity Walking With The Wounded as well as ex-servicemen who have benefited from the charity's projects.[10][11][12] The ceremony rooms, where weddings and receptions take place, were renovated with improved lighting and a new "flower wall" in June 2018.[13]

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References
  1. "Gateshead". Historic England. p. 13-18. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  2. "Conservation Statement: Revised report to support the repair and reuse of the building" (PDF). Gateshead Council. 1 March 2017. p. 22. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  3. "Gateshead Quay and Town Centre". England's North East. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  4. "Where to watch the Royal visit". The Evening Chronicle. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. "The A1 Trunk Road" (PDF). The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transport. p. 5. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  6. "The Family". Gateshead Council. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  7. "The Family". Visual Arts Data Service (VADS): Archives Hub. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  8. "Tyne and Wear HER(10922): Gateshead, Regent Street, Gateshead Civic Centre, 'The Family - Details". Tyne & Wear Sitelines. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  9. "Gateshead Council". Albany Contract Furniture. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  10. "Prince Harry meets veterans at Walking With The Wounded event". Herald Scotland. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  11. "Prince Harry on Newcastle Quayside : Updates as His Royal Highness visits North East". Chronicle Live. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  12. "Prince Harry in the North East". ITV. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  13. "Fancy having a wedding like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West? Now you can - in Gateshead". Chronicle Live. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2020.

Further reading
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