Signed, sealed, delivered: the most unexpected Christmas present
An unexpected gift has been found under the tree by one Gateshead resident this Christmas. On 25 December, Edie Miller from Gateshead surprised her partner with the sign for Computer House amongst his presents.
The couple both live in Gateshead and used to cycle past the former office block every day.
Edie's partner, Tom, is a philosopher whose work covers AI ethics and has always loved the sign. Edie thought this would make a fantastic present to adorn their office and nickname it Computer House.
When she heard the building was being demolished, Edie immediately got in touch with contractor BAM Nuttall and Gateshead Council to ask if the sign could be saved. Both were happy to make this special Christmas wish come true.
Edie was when welcomed down to site in December to receive the sign, before taking it home to wrap and place under the tree.
Leader of Gateshead Council Councillor Martin Gannon said: "We were surprised to receive this request, but we're so pleased that this small piece of Gateshead's history will get a new home in the borough."
BAM added: "Although the building itself is being removed as part of essential infrastructure works, the Computer House sign is a small but meaningful reminder of Gateshead's built heritage. We were pleased to help preserve it and see it given a new life as such a unique Christmas gift".
Computer House is currently being demolished as part of the programme to take down the Gateshead flyover.
The disused office block is being demolished to enable better access for large construction machinery to get to the main flyover structure. Works to remove the tower block began in October 2025 and are due to finish in the new year before work on the flyover itself begins.
The removal of the flyover is set to open up huge opportunities for regenerating the centre of Gateshead, making space for the creation of a stronger community with good quality housing and services, as well as new businesses.
An unexpected gift has been found under the tree by one Gateshead resident this Christmas. On 25 December, Edie Miller from Gateshead surprised her partner with the sign for Computer House amongst his presents.
The couple both live in Gateshead and used to cycle past the former office block every day.
Edie's partner, Tom, is a philosopher whose work covers AI ethics and has always loved the sign. Edie thought this would make a fantastic present to adorn their office and nickname it Computer House.
When she heard the building was being demolished, Edie immediately got in touch with contractor BAM Nuttall and Gateshead Council to ask if the sign could be saved. Both were happy to make this special Christmas wish come true.
Edie was when welcomed down to site in December to receive the sign, before taking it home to wrap and place under the tree.
Leader of Gateshead Council Councillor Martin Gannon said: "We were surprised to receive this request, but we're so pleased that this small piece of Gateshead's history will get a new home in the borough."
BAM added: "Although the building itself is being removed as part of essential infrastructure works, the Computer House sign is a small but meaningful reminder of Gateshead's built heritage. We were pleased to help preserve it and see it given a new life as such a unique Christmas gift".
Computer House is currently being demolished as part of the programme to take down the Gateshead flyover.
The disused office block is being demolished to enable better access for large construction machinery to get to the main flyover structure. Works to remove the tower block began in October 2025 and are due to finish in the new year before work on the flyover itself begins.
The removal of the flyover is set to open up huge opportunities for regenerating the centre of Gateshead, making space for the creation of a stronger community with good quality housing and services, as well as new businesses.
