Local businesses dig deep for New Year celebrations

Party-goers celebrating New Year’s Eve along the quayside this year are in for a special treat at midnight thanks to the support of 16 local businesses. Malmaison, Bond Dickinson, Ward Hadaway, The Slug & Lettuce, Akenside Traders, Copthorne Hotel, Pitcher & Piano, Tiger Hornsby, Popolo, The Bridge Tavern, Gusto, La Tasca, River Escapes, Fresh Element (SIX at BALTIC), Sage Gateshead and Hilton Newcastle Gateshead have all joined Newcastle City Council in funding a midnight firework display on the quayside. The NewcastleGateshead quayside has enjoyed a revival in the past few years as one of the best places to welcome in the New Year thanks to on-going investment in new attractions, restaurants, bars, hotels and the re-introduction of Midnight Fireworks by NewcastleGateshead Initiative in 2012. Thousands of people flock to the area each year to celebrate in style. Businesses along the quayside were keen to see the midnight fireworks return and as a result have helped fund the event. Sarah Stewart, chief executive of destination management and marketing agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative who coordinate the Winter Festival, said: “Working closely with Newcastle City Council and Winter Carnival producers Walk the Plank, we’ve been able to reintroduce midnight fireworks to the quayside over the past few years. “I think it’s fantastic that local businesses have been willing to put their hands in their pocket and help ensure we can continue midnight fireworks. It creates another reason for people to visit the destination and helps support the local economy by encouraging people to spend New Year’s Eve in the city centre.” Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Newcastle City Council, said: “Newcastle’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, including the early evening Winter Carnival, always attract big crowds as they offer something for people of all ages – and this year’s event will be no exception. “It will also provide a welcome economic boost for quayside traders so I am delighted that so many have joined the council in making a financial contribution to the firework display on the Quayside which will herald an exciting start to 2015.” Emma Doré, General Manager of Malmaison Newcastle said: “We are delighted to support NewcastleGateshead Initiative once again with the New Years Eve celebrations. The carnival and fireworks continue to draw business to the Quayside, and we have received a significant increase in enquiries from people wanting to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the hotel where they can enjoy dinner, drinks or an overnight stay with a fantastic display at midnight over the River Tyne. We consider NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s input to be invaluable for the city in delivering a memorable evening for people of all ages.” Alistair Walsh, Area Operations Manager, Pitcher & Piano, said: “The New Year’s Eve NewcastleGateshead quayside fireworks are always spectacular and Pitcher & Piano boasts some of the best views so we are delighted to support them. We’re looking forward to ringing in 2015 with a bang!" Commissioned by NewcastleGateshead Initiative, the midnight firework display is part of the NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival. For more information about the Winter Festival, please visit www.NewcastleGateshead.com/winter-festival