Celebrating 10 Years of NE1!
It’s been an amazing 10 years here at NE1 HQ! The city has grown every year, picking up a host of exciting projects along the way.
We’re celebrating a 10 year journey that has taken us from Street Rangers and late-night shopping, to pop-up parks, Pride and free city centre parking - not to mention the offers, events and our wonderful magazine and website! Here are the things that wouldn’t have happened in the city without us...
2008
NE1 VOTED INTO EXISTENCE
67% of Newcastle’s businesses vote in favour of the creation of NE1, inspired by their ideas to develop and improve the city centre.
2009
HERE COME THE BOYS IN BLUE...
In 2009, our unsung heroes, NE1’s Street Rangers, arrive on the streets, ensuring the people of NE1 get the most from our city centre by keeping on top of everything from maintenance and a bit of business TLC, to event preparations and street cleaning.
2010
TIME TO GET ALIVE AFTER FIVE!
Our city ups its game after dark! Whether it’s clubs, pubs and comedy hubs, or cinema trips and late night shopping trips, the bright lights keep the city popping after work. With seven free NE1 car parks after 5pm and late night shopping until 8pm, our city simply never stops, and thanks to Alive After Five, since 2010 we’ve seen over £839m spent between 5pm and 8pm in the city.
TAKING THE WEB BY STORM
NE1’s offers and events take the internet by storm after the launch of the Get into Newcastle website in 2010. The heartbeat of the city’s arts, culture and entertainment scene, the site sees over 850,000 visits every year!
2011
POCKET PARKS
In 2011 team NE1 got to work on the fabric of our city with the launch of two pocket parks; St Nicholas Square and the Grey Street Garden, offering tranquil retreats to relax and unwind in the city centre.
FOODIE FUN!
Also in 2011, to tackle the two quietest weeks of the year, NE1 teams up with some of the city’s finest foodie establishments to launch NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week! The tastiest event in the Toon, it quickly grew and grew.
CITY CENTRE FLICKS
NE1’s outdoor cinema takes to the streets in 2011 with Monument Movies. We packed up our popcorn and deckchairs in the summer of 2016, moving the movie magic to Old Eldon Square where today’s Screen on the Green is born!
2012
YOUR GUIDE TO LIFE IN NE1...
In 2012, NE1 changes the way we enjoy our city forever with the launch of the Get into Newcastle magazine. Guiding visitors and locals alike through all the best bits on a fortnightly basis.
MARINA MOMENTS
NE1 also creates the Newcastle City Marina, bringing life to the river! The Marina has welcomed over 6,000 boats and visitors since its launch. Now you can sit back, relax and watch as super yachts dock on the Quayside, and river tours move to and fro!
SEASIDE ESCAPES
Even more in 2012, we dig out our buckets and spades to bring a beach to the city centre! Unheard of at the time, NE1’s Quayside Seaside now takes pride of place on the Costa del Tyne every summer, bringing sun-soaked seaside fun to the city!
2013
NE1 RENEWED!
NE1 go back to the businesses, and they like what they’ve seen! The Renewal Vote passes with even more ‘Yes’ votes, 76% of businesses voting in favour of the BID! A significant rise since the last vote and the start of more super city events…
2014
PARTY WITH PRIDE
NE1 becomes headline sponsor of Newcastle Pride - the city’s biggest, boldest and most vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture! Pride now provides over £8m-worth of economic impact each year!
2015
WE'VE GOT THE MAGIC!
The Rugby League summer party, Magic Weekend, takes to the Toon for the first time, bringing sport, sunshine and guaranteed good times to St James’ Park!This fixture-fuelled event soon becomes one of the city’s summer sporting highlights, bringing over 60,000 fans into the city each May!
THE DRIVING FORCE!
2015 also saw the first NE1 Newcastle Motor Show rev up its engines for over 100,000 visitors, families and car-enthusiasts! The three years since have seen it grow and grow…
CHINESE GARDEN
The Chinese Garden pop-up park pops up in Chinatown in 2015, bringing another glorious green space to the city centre.
2016
BEST BID IN EUROPE
There’s plenty to celebrate in 2016 as NE1 is voted the ‘Best BID in Europe’! Yes, all of Europe! We’re moving in the right direction…
2017
TREATS & TRAILS
We vamp up our Get into Newcastle magazine, bringing you the best of the city through maps, weekend trails and in-the-know info! These very pages guide you through our fantastic city every fortnight!
2018
WEEKEND STREET FUN
In the summer of 2018, we pedestrianised Blackett Street to bring you the best of summer in one family-friendly, fun-filled space! Beanbags, fairground rides, giant games and more made up this summer’s Blackett Street Weekends!
BIGG PROJECTS!
For 2018 big things are happening in the heart of the city thanks to NE1 breaking ground on a £3.2m development with the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring the Bigg Market back to it’s former glory!
GREY STREET GATHERING
Grey Street Gathering is set up on the glorious Grey Street - a beautiful, tranquil green space in the city centre - for visiotrs to relax and enjoy, and with outdoor fitness classes during the summer months.
5 MORE YEARS...? VOTE NE1!
Like what we’ve done this past decade? Enjoyed your NE1 experiences? Make sure Newcastle continues to thrive and help us keep the momentum going as the years roll on! This is a renewal year for the BID, and it’s now in the hands of Newcastle’s businesses to ensure NE1 continues doing wonderful things in the city centre. Business owners, watch out for your ballot papers in the post and remember to cast your vote between 20 September - 18 October!
