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Metro Centre Shopping
Metro Centre Countdown
The aim of Cameron Hall, the original developers, was to provide a shopping and leisure centre that combined North American innovation with European shopping tradition.
1980
The 120 acres of the River Tyne flood plain cover with waterlogged ash waste, from Dunston Power Station, was designated to be the site for a pioneering retail and leisure revolution. Its only advantage was its
location in the heart of Tyneside.
1981
The project to became financially viable with the choice of the area as one of the first Enterprise Zones in the United Kingdom.
1984
Gateshead M.B.C. hosted an exhibition to publicise the proposed scheme. Over 1000 visitors including the top retailers in the U.K., Marks & Spencer, Boots, B.H.S. and House of Fraser, came to the North East to view the exhibition and express their interest in the development. Gateshead M.B.C. together with the Department of the Environment agreed to pay £1.7 million towards the cost of vital access roads linking the centre to the A69 Western Bypass (now the A1). The Church Commissioners for England agreed to fund the project entirely.
1986
In April a small number of units started trading and on October 14th the first malls officially opened.
1989
On the 2nd December 1989, 370 private coach trips visited from all over the U.K.
1990
The retail park was developed
1995
Capital Shopping Centres plc purchased a 90% interest in the Centre.
1998
Asda moved to a purpose-built building near the Retail Park.
Metro Centre Facts
- Each year 13000 Norwegians travel to the Metro Centre.
- More than £10,000 is collected from the Metro Centre fountains then donated to charity each year.
- An unique attractions is shopping on a theme - where local entrepreneurs can compete with High Street chain stores.
- Leisure facilities play a large part and include an 11 screen Multiplex Cinema, a bowling alley, Metro Land Funfair, eating places and pubs.
- The Metro Centre has its own bus and railway stations making easy access.
- 6,000 people are employed in all capacities coping with up to 40,000 vehicles and visitor numbers, which can rise to 156,000 in just one day.
Link to the Metro Centre website: