It was in the latter part of 2013 that NUST’s attention was brought to the fact that NUFC were seeking to dispose of their leasehold interest in the land behind the Gallowgate where the former Metro Station car park was situated. A brochure distributed to potential developers had been sent to the NUST Board, which was met with some surprise, particularly since in the early days of the Ashley ownership, following a Freedom of Information request, NUST had come into possession of a report jointly commissioned by the club and Council regarding the feasibility of extending the Gallowgate beyond Strawberry Place over the Metro Station and into the car park.
Given the limitations of extending other areas of the ground the news of this potential leasehold sale sent alarm bells ringing amongst the NUST Board members. Whilst following NUFC under Ashley was at times grim, nothing lasts forever, and the thought of a bright future with an extended ground and increased capacity was a hope that supporters were clinging to in those dark days.
There then followed, over a number of years, communication between NUST, the club, various developers for the site, the Council, local MP’s, public meetings, and local media, in an attempt to either stop any development, or at least limit any development which would preclude the possibility of a Gallowgate End extension at some point in the future, if considered viable. NUST even submitted an objection-and appeared before the Council’s planning committee- to the eventual planning application in the hope that the proposal for student accommodation could be thwarted.
As we all now know, following the sale of the club by Mr Ashley, the new owners as part of their wider strategy for the club and having undertaken due diligence which did have involvement from NUST, recognised the folly of disposing of the site and the restriction this would bring to any future ground development (or any club plans), re-negotiated the sale back of the leasehold of the site.
As a result, earlier this week saw the opening of the Stack, providing a ‘match day’ experience for fans as well as an all-round addition to Newcastle’s vibrant nightlife. More importantly, it provided concrete proof that the site remains within the long-term control of NUFC-and not a developer- and hasn’t consigned to history any potential extension of the Gallowgate End. Some things are worth fighting for!
Click here to see the full brochure detailing the full scale of the development!
