The North Briton

by Andrew Fenwick

Today local council leaders announced plans to move many popular businesses based in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley—including The Cluny and Cumberland Arms—to Gateshead.

Aimed at boosting profits in the recession, the move across the river—which will be funded by both Newcastle and Gateshead councils—will find companies able to take advantage of cheaper land prices and the relatively high disposable incomes of the many young professionals based at Baltic Quays.

Businesses currently based in the Ouseburn—which includes popular live music venue The Cluny—are anticipating a growth in sales once the move to the more prosperous ‘south side’ is complete.

The news hasn’t been welcomed by everyone, however. Many local music fans have said they will miss the rich industrial heritage of the area, and feel Gateshead quayside is better suited to the “chattering classes” who frequent establishments such as the multi-million pound Sage Gateshead complex.

Work on dismantling and rebuilding the Ouseburn is set to begin later this month.

This article originally appeared at Isolationist, a Newcastle-centric web publication providing information on news and events around town