What's billed as the North East's biggest beer garden is currently taking shape in Newcastle in readiness for a spring debut.
Work on Central Park is under way in Times Square where a vast open space is being given over to the construction of pop-up bars, a food court and a giant stage. Within five days the area previously occupied by Paddy Fest just over a week earlier now looks entirely different, housing a mezzanine level - covered with fake grass - which overlooks a main 'garden' in the making which soon will be covered with themed seating areas, big umbrellas and potted plants.
Over the coming weeks, workers will complete the ambitious build - before those finishing touches are made and after that it will be a matter of keeping fingers crossed for the weather, says Mike Hesketh, one of the organisers of both Central Park and Paddy Fest. Central Park is set to welcome its first visitors from April 16 and over its four month run into the summer it will be hosting a programme of live entertainment, such as DJ nights and Kroud Karaoke events, plus screenings of live sports and a Eurovison night which last summer proved such a success.
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Central Park made its debut in Times Square last year when pandemic restrictions lifted in time for a more scaled-down affair. This time around its return promises to be both bigger and better, with a larger set-up incorporating that upper level and a roof-top bar, as well as raised seating giving views across the space and onto Centre for Life, and also massively increased capacity, from 500 people in 2021 to 2,000 this year.
Current work includes the installation of a line of VIP-style toilet facilitiies and there is to be more shelter this time around, for around 800 people, as well as more heated areas. Tickets for Central Park are already available online and more will be released as the events programme is fine-tuned. Mike adds that walk-ins also will be welcome and the bars will be open daily.
"And we've got some amazing street food traders," he said. "We're in the process of making the containers - we've got Gingerino’s pizzas; Brack Burger, which is known for amazing burgers, and Acropolis. They'll be trading seven days a week."
Other new additions to come will include a beach-style hangout below the VIP roof terrace, wooden cladding and bar areas.
Passers-by will see Central Park develop and extend in Times Square in the run-up to the April launch then it will remain in situ until August 21. For details of its events programme and ticket information see online here.
