The Bigg Market Restoration Scheme

The Bigg Market in Newcastle is of significant historical importance and dates to the middle ages. It was the site of a thriving marketplace along the Great North Road that ran from London to Scotland. Alongside are the Cloth Market and Groat Market with the area being located close to Newcastle Cathedral.

Client
Newcastle NE1 Ltd
Architect/client representative
Landscape Architects was Southern Green Ltd and the Facades Architects was Mawson Kerr Architects
Contract value
£2,500,000

The redevelopment project to restore this historic urban core of Newcastle is the result of a successful bid, by the regional business improvement company NE1 Ltd, to the Heritage Lottery Funding for £1.6 million. Additional funds were matched by NE1 Ltd, Newcastle City Council and property owners. After a close-run tender process, and due to a demonstrated track record in the restoration of city centre facades and landscapes, Historic Property Restoration were selected as the preferred contractor for the £2.5M project.

The actual restoration of the Bigg Market itself was city centre public realm works consisting of hard landscaping, streetlighting, retaining walls and street furniture. In addition, facades of 15 properties including shopfronts and the later part of the scheme was the conversion of the public toilets at the bottom of the Bigg Market into a chic city centre micro wine bar.

Due to the City centre location, protection of the general public and facilitating and maintaining safe access to the properties, shops and business surrounding the immediate work area presented one of the more significant challenges on the project. Consideration was always given to alternative access routes to premises and maintaining access.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank the HPR team for all the hard work delivered throughout the MEND works project.

The quality of the completed works is excellent and is a real credit to the professionalism and commitment shown on site. It has been clear throughout that a high standard has been maintained, and the end result reflects that.

We appreciate the collaborative approach taken and the effort made to ensure the works were delivered smoothly and to a high standard.

Gary Leybourne - Design Services Manager -
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

The Dean and Chapter and its Fabric Advisory Committee is thrilled with the quality of work produced by HPR Ltd. The skills exhibited in stone masonry are particularly fine. Managers and staff have developed good relations with the client team – we couldn’t have asked for better attitude or commitment.

Lindy Gilliland Testimonial -
Lindy Gilliland - Newcastle Cathedral Project Manager

"From my personal perspective, this was one of the best projects I have been involved with over the last 35 years as a Chartered Building Surveyor, RICS Accredited in Building Conservation. My client role on this was a complete pleasure, because you and your team were first class, complementing the excellent professional design team. Well done!"

Richard Dunn -
PCC Project Co-ordinator, for St John the Baptist Church, Wilberfoss

"I am glad we chose HPR as our partner for this project, and I do believe we are partnered as you have the same passion and respect for our museum as we do. The work itself is of high standard, and the behind the scenes support is much appreciated too. I would not hesitate to recommend HPR to anyone who needs restoration or building work for historic properties. It has been a pleasure to work with you."

Diane Stephens -
Manager at Heugh Battery Museum

"HPR recognise, and allow for, the necessary archaeological recording to take place during consolidation work and the disruptions that this may cause to their planned programme of work comes as no surprise to them. This awareness means that their workforce is able to be pro-active in informing the archaeologist of any possible instances when recording may be necessary."

Mick Krupa -
NPHT Archaeologist at Nenthead Smeltmill

"Historic Property Restoration carried out the first phase of the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Town Hall. The company were extremely professional in their approach throughout the entire process as befits a company with extensive experience in the conservation and restoration sector."

David Lodge -
Greater Morpeth Development Trust

"Historic Property Restoration deliver good quality work to programme and budget on a regular basis. They are reliable and value for money."

Ian Merritt -
English Heritage Conservation and Maintenance Manager
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Shop front installation was carefully planned with each occupier, a sequenced programme with temporary access measures was prepared requiring approval of each of the site occupiers prior to works commencing.  Safe corridors were always created to allow the general public access to local business and premises with the maximum width being available.

On the 6th February 2020 the Bigg Market project team were named winners on the Landscape category of the Lord Mayors Design Awards 2019.  The judges were particularly impressed that the design team showed a commitment to retaining the mature trees in the Bigg Market where possible, and to enhancing the views towards the Cathedral and Castle. The Bigg Market is now open and accessible to all members of the public and surrounding areas of developments are being discussed to continue the restoration of the city centre.

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