It was a flaming good day out – but seven hundred West End residents had more than just family fun on their minds at a buzzing event at Newcastle’s West Road Fire Station site this week.

 

For among the stiltwalkers, painted faces and excited children, hundreds of people took the chance to help shape their community’s future. Centre West and Groundwork have joined forces to develop a landmark eco-friendly community building on the site – and local residents showed their support in big numbers.

 

“It’s been a great day, but it’s about so much more than that,” said Rye Hill resident Sandra McNeill. “The new building could make a real difference to people’s lives.”

 

After almost fifty years as a fire station, the old building is set to be replaced by a striking new building with an accent on community, enterprise and training. The three-storey development will include business units to help fledgling enterprises get started, and support services to help residents into work and placements.

 

A ground floor restaurant will attract visitors to the area, while a colourful artisan’s mall will showcase local talent in areas like fashion, jewellery and crafts.

 

“This can be a great opportunity for the West End’s future,” said Brian Hannah, Chair of Centre West. “Our aim is to create jobs, safeguard the environment and show the world that the West End is open for business.”

And huge numbers of local people took the chance to have their say.

 

“People were keen to put their thoughts across and left us with hundreds of post-it notes full of ideas for the future,” said Mr Hannah. “Residents made suggestions ranging from music and dance to help with starting in business, and a place for the community to come together – and their ideas will help us to get our planning right.”

 

Meanwhile, children enjoyed learning about recycling, even making jewellery and bags from old newspapers and creating artistic mobiles from old CDs.

 

To find out more about the plans for the West Road Fire Station site, contact Centre West on 0191 277 2863.