Gateshead Council is inviting the public to offer views on its draft vision for A New Centre for Gateshead.
Public consultation on plans for developing Gateshead Centre over the next fifteen years will take place on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July.
The proposed Vision and Big Ideas will be on display in the Launch Pad temporary exhibition venue located on West Street, outside Iceland and adjacent to the 'sports Day' sculpture.
The exhibition will be there on Friday 18th July 2008, between 9am and 5pm and on Saturday 19 July 2008 between 10am and 4pm.
The"Launch Pad exhibition vehicle can display a range of materials and is fully accessible for disabled people.
Everyone will be able to view information and talk to council staff and experts working on the project.
Information will be available afterwards at Gateshead Civic Centre.
At the heart of the draft vision is the aim to make Gateshead Fit for a City in line with the Gateshead Community Strategy, Vision 2030.
During the consultation, visitors to the Launch Pad will see details on five big ideas which are at the centre of the proposed plans.
This vision will form a strategy and plan for regenerating the centre of Gateshead. It will explain how Gateshead will secure an attractive range of new shops and services, turn roads into safe streets, support new housing developments aimed at families and provide places for leisure with more public spaces - including a new park as part of a 'Green Gateshead' initiative.
The draft vision for the development of Gateshead Centre is the result of an extensive study that has taken place over the last nine months, commissioned by Gateshead Council and ONE North East, involving architects, urban designers, transport consultants, property advisors, economists and communication professionals led by the international firm BDP.
Cllr Mick Henry, the leader of Gateshead Council said:
"This is an important phase in developing Gateshead's future. We are asking for comments on these exciting draft plans, which have the potential to transform the shape, look and experience of Gateshead Centre.
"We will take the views expressed to us during this consultation period very seriously. We want as many people as possible to share our Big Ideas so it's vital that we receive feedback from Gateshead residents and businesses.
"At this early stage, Gateshead people can have a significant influence on the emerging plans before the Council makes any final decisions."