Eldon Square
Shopping Center | Newcastle upon Tyne | England | United Kingdom
The Eldon Square Shopping Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, is one of the largest and most well-known shopping centers in the northeast of the UK and a central part of Newcastle's city center. Opened in 1976, it spans a retail space of approximately 130,000 square meters, making it one of the largest covered shopping centers in the country. The center was built on the site of the historic Old Eldon Square, a Georgian square designed by John Dobson around 1824. The decision to largely demolish this square and replace it with a modern shopping center was controversial at the time and was labeled "architectural vandalism" by critics, as only the eastern terrace of the original square was preserved. Today, Eldon Square attracts around 35 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited shopping destinations in the UK.
The shopping center offers over 150 stores covering a wide range of retail offerings. Major retailers include department stores such as John Lewis & Partners, Marks & Spencer, and Fenwick, which is considered the first department store in the world and has a long tradition in Newcastle. In addition to these anchor tenants, there are numerous well-known high street brands such as H&M, River Island, New Look, Levi’s, and AllSaints, as well as international names like Apple and Hollister. The product range spans fashion and accessories to beauty products, electronics, and household goods, appealing to a broad audience—from bargain hunters to shoppers focused on premium brands. In recent years, the offering has been expanded by new tenants such as the cosmetics brand Sephora, which announced its arrival as part of a modernization initiative.
In addition to shopping, Eldon Square is also an important venue for dining and leisure. There are over 20 restaurants and cafés offering a variety of culinary options. This includes international chains like Nando’s, Pizza Express, and Krispy Kreme, as well as upscale restaurants like Chaophraya, which serves Asian fusion dishes with views of the historic Grey’s Monument and features a rooftop terrace. These dining options often have longer opening hours than the stores, making the center attractive in the evenings as well. Additionally, there are smaller snack stalls and cafés like Millie’s Cookies, which provide quick snacks for those on the go. The variety and quality of restaurants contribute to Eldon Square being not just a shopping destination, but also a social meeting place.
The architecture of the shopping center is modern and functional, featuring spacious, covered arcades that are enlivened by natural light. It spans two levels and is designed to remain easily navigable despite its size. Eldon Square consists of several areas, including the main shopping passages and smaller adjacent sections like Eldon Garden, a separate but connected shopping center with a more exclusive feel and independent shops. The integration into the city center is facilitated by multiple entrances, such as along the busy Northumberland Street, one of Newcastle's main shopping streets, or the Old Eldon Square, which has been preserved as a public square.
The center is excellently connected to transportation networks. It is located close to the Tyne and Wear Metro, particularly the Monument station, as well as several bus routes connecting Newcastle and surrounding areas. For drivers, there are two multi-storey car parks available, providing over 2,000 parking spaces, including Eldon Square Multi-Storey and Eldon Garden Multi-Storey. This accessibility makes it attractive for both locals and visitors from the region, especially from cities like Gateshead, Sunderland, or Durham.
Over the years, Eldon Square has undergone several expansions and modernizations. A significant redesign occurred between 2007 and 2009, when the southern area, known as St Andrew’s Way, was developed with a new Debenhams department store as an anchor tenant. After the closure of Debenhams in 2021, a £65 million investment plan was initiated to transform this area into a versatile experience location. This plan aims to convert the former Debenhams site into a center for food, culture, and live music, while the previous leisure area is being remodeled into a modern facility with electric go-karts, mini-golf, and a rooftop terrace overlooking Old Eldon Square. New attractions like Flight Club, a social darts experience, and Freight Island, a street food and entertainment concept, are expected to further enhance the center. These developments illustrate the transformation of Eldon Square into a place that combines shopping with leisure and experiences.
From 2013 to 2020, the center was named "Intu Eldon Square" following management by Intu Properties. After Intu’s bankruptcy in 2020, management was handed over to new owners, and the original name was reinstated. The ownership is shared between private investors and the Newcastle city council, highlighting its close connection with the city. Eldon Square has also engaged socially: it was the first shopping center in the northeast to receive the Autism Acceptance Gold Award from the North East Autism Society in 2021, offering accessible facilities such as a Changing Places room and quiet shopping hours for autistic visitors.
