Look inside city's indoor market after £9m revamp
The revamp of Newcastle's Grainger Market following a £9m redesign has been unveiled to customers and traders.
Huge changes to the 19th Century building, which took 18 months to complete, were unveiled to the public on Friday.
New signs, electronic doors, toilets and lighting have been installed and a large open space has been created for gigs and theatre performances.
Julie Higgs, owner of Hunter's Deli, said the renovated area was "beautiful" and made the place feel "really fresh".
"There has been nowhere to sit in the market, that is what has been lacking," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
"People want a nice environment to sit in."
'It feels romantic'
Between two new pavilions, seating and tables have been created for 300 shoppers to dine.
The market was originally designed to be naturally ventilated to keep food cold, but automatic sliding doors have now been installed to keep out cold winds.
Other upgrades include new toilets, floor tiles and hand-painted signs.
However, the final sections of new flooring has yet to be laid in the arcade and some electricity cabling work still needs to be carried out.
Gift shop entrepreneur Tian Tang, from Tian's Gifts, said the revamped space felt "vibrant and modern".
"I keep picturing people sitting on the steps, it feels quite romantic - like being in France or Italy," she said.
However, Lyndsey Heslop, manager of Oliver's Cafe, said her business lost its dedicated seating and she was concerned her customers would not sit in a communal space.
"But it might come off, it might work. It is lovely and it needed to be refurbished," she said.
"Hopefully, I am still here in another 18 years."
Labour Newcastle Central and West MP Chi Onwurah was among the guests at the market's opening event.
"It looks absolutely amazing," she said.
"The Grainger Market is such a special centre of our city.
"The fact that it is almost 200 years old and you can still get everything you need here - Sunday lunch, get your shoes repaired, buy the best cheese in the city, find a wedding ring - it is wonderful."
