Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena could relocate to Gateshead to form part of a multi-million pound entertainment, conference and exhibition complex, it has been announced.
The existing 11,000-capacity arena opened in 1995 but Gateshead Council, in partnership with property developers Ask Real Estate and investment and development manager Patrizia UK, is now working with the venue's operator SMG Europe on bringing a 12,500-seat arena to Gateshead Quays.
The 10-acre site, which sits directly opposite the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and between the Sage Gateshead live music venue and Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art, is planned to include an entertainment arena, conference and exhibition centre, hotel, bars and restaurants.
“We’ve for some time been looking at increasing our presence in the North East," said SMG's EVP, European operations, John Sharkey. "The Gateshead Quays development site is truly a unique location which will offer visitors a whole new experience.
"Our new entertainment, conferencing and exhibition facilities, standing shoulder to shoulder with Sage Gateshead and Baltic, will we firmly believe, further cement Gateshead Quays as a popular and stunning world class cultural destination, whilst bringing significant benefits for the whole region as well as Newcastle and Gateshead.”
Th next steps for the development site involve a detailed scheme design being drawn up ahead of pre-planning and pre-construction phases.
Upcoming concerts at Metro Radio Arena include John Legend, Little Mix, Phil Collins, The Killers, Emeli Sandé and Queen + Adam Lambert.
