People will have one last chance to visit the top of Gateshead's famous multi-storey 'Get Carter' car park later this month.
Gateshead Council and Spenhill are making this opportunity available on Saturday 26th April and Sunday 27th April, from 10am until 1pm and from 2pm until 5pm.
Members of the public are invited to visit the top floor of the renowned building that has been shut for many years, before its final closure and demolition. The event will operate first come first served and those attending will have to wear hard hats, sign a disclaimer form and attend a safety briefing prior to going onto the restricted levels. For health and safety reasons there will be no access to the rooftop restaurant permitted.
Demolition of the car park will be a significant milestone in the regeneration of Trinity Square, at the heart of the borough. The exact date for its closure has not yet been decided.
Director of culture and communities at Gateshead Council, David Bunce, said, "The car park has dominated Gateshead's skyline for over 30 years and has been a constant talking a point for the different opinions of those who either love, hate or are indifferent about it. There is still much interest in the structure's architecture and we wanted to give people the chance to have one last look at the views across Newcastle and Gateshead from the top before it makes way for a new development."
Spenhill, which is the wholly owned regeneration subsidiary of Tesco, is currently developing plans for Trinity Square that will bring new life to Gateshead town centre. Key changes could include leisure and community facilities, student accommodation, a new Tesco store, shops, cafes and restaurants, a hotel and town centre car parking.
Nick Gellatly, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco speaking on behalf of Spenhill adds, "This event and the preparations for new development on the Trinity Square site mark Gateshead making way for significant regeneration opportunities to revitalise the town centre. It is important to celebrate the town's history but also to celebrate new developments such as Trinity Square, which will contribute towards the ongoing efforts to revitalise Gateshead and become the town's future."
On the day pay and display car parking will be available (within the Gateshead Multi-Storey itself) and attendees will be required to wear safety equipment, which will be provided. They will need walk to Level 13 from Level 7 via the parking levels - Level 7 can be accessed by vehicle or passenger lift but the remaining floors are only accessible by foot, which involves a gradual incline for approximately 200 metres. Visitors also need to undertake a detailed safety briefing. Due to the nature of the site there are no toilet facilities.
Gateshead Council reserves the right to postpone the event at any time due to any unforeseen developing circumstances or weather conditions.