Patrick, you are correct Gateshead High Street and the surrounding areas are a dump but, it has not always been the case. I agree that perhaps Northumberland Street many years ago did have more prestigious shops than Gateshead High Street but Gateshead High Street in the 5o’s and 60’s did have some very interesting shops.

Northumberland Street, to my mind, is not a patch on how it used to be, the last time I visited I thought that it was looking very depressing, I just hope it doesn’t go the way Gateshead High Street.