New Eldon Square mall opens in Newcastle

Feb 16 2010 By Amy Hunt

ELDON Square’s new St Andrew’s Way mall today welcomed thousands of excited customers for its opening.

The new development, the final phase in a £170m revamp of the 34-year-old shopping centre, boasts a four-storey Debenhams, youth clothing chains Superdry and Hollister, and the UK’s 26th Apple store.

Queues for the grand opening began to form at 8am, as many took advantage of the half-term holiday to be among the first to visit their favourite retailers.

As the anticipation built towards the unveiling at 10.30am, TV presenter Pam Royle held competitions for the crowd to win gift vouchers and goody bags.

Then with the help of his circus performers who backflipped through a paper barrier, Richard the Ringmaster was finally able to announce the St Andrew’s Way Mall open for business.

First on the mall and into the new Debenhams store was Debbie Johnson from Jarrow, who won a £1,000 Eldon Square gift card in a competition run in conjunction with Metro Radio.

Debbie said: "I’m absolutely thrilled. I’ve just extended the wardrobes in my bedroom so I really need lots of new clothes to fill them."

Shoppers were pleased with the new mall.

Hannah Docherty, 19, a student from Gosforth, Newcastle, said: "I’ve been queuing here since 8am with my friends to be one of the first to get into Topshop."

Paul Dunlop, 25, an IT developer from Jesmond, queued up from 8.30am to be fourth into the Apple store.

He said: "I think it’s great, I have been to Apple stores in the States and it’s really convenient to have one here.

"The stores are always good fun and it’s a great experience."

Eldon Square manager Tim Lamb said: "It has always been our intention to be at the forefront of the redevelopment of the city. What we have done is sent out a message that retail in Newcastle is successful despite the difficult financial times.

"We listened to what retailers were asking for and it was quite clear what they were after was bigger retail spaces in a light, bright environment, with more space to show off their goods. So we built the new mall and the good news is they turned up in their droves."

Coun John Shipley, leader of Newcastle City Council, which owns 40% of the centre, said: "This is more than just the opening of a shopping mall, it improves the city’s offer as a destination for visitors and businesses."