Metro Centre

Before construction

After construction

In 1980 few people realised that, when a power station’s waterlogged ash dump on the outskirts of Gateshead was chosen for development, the North East of England would be pioneering a retail revolution.

The concept, planning and design were essentially very simple. The aim was to provide a shopping and leisure centre that combined the best of North American innovation with all the lessons learned from centuries of European shopping tradition.
1981 The former Power Station site became an Enterprise Zone.
1984 John Hall and Gateshead MBC launched their proposed development. One of the first national retailers to sign was M&S. Gateshead MBC and the Department of the Environment built vital access roads linking to the A69 Western Bypass (now the A1). Building began.

Since opening in 1986, Metrocentre has become more than bricks and mortar. It is now part of the social fabric of the region where people come to meet as well as shop.
1987 Blue mall, yellow mall and Bus Station opened. Blue multi storey car park and railway station opened. UCI Cinema opened.
  1988 MetroLand opened. Roman Forum (now The Forum) opened.

1991 John Hall received a knighthood and became Sir John Hall

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  1990 A1 Western Bypass opened.



  2000 Secretary of State grants consent to extend the Centre to include Debenhams, up to 27 additional shop units and a multi-storey car park.
  2002 Demolition of the old Asda site begins and the building of the new Red Mall and Debenhams Department Store and the new Public Transport Interchange begins.

2004 Opening of the new Public Transport Interchange Wednesday 6th October – Re-launch of Metrocentre and Opening of the new Red Mall. Metrocentre becomes the largest shopping and leisure centre in Europe once again.

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