Newcastle's JG Windows could be taken over by restaurants and fashion brands

JG Windows in Newcastle's Central Arcade
-Credit:ncjMedia


Restaurant and fashion firms are among the businesses mulling a move into the former JG Windows shop in Newcastle city centre, property experts have confirmed.

The historic music shop – one of the North East’s best known and longest established retail businesses – closed its doors for good in November, more than a year after it had been initially put up for sale by its owners.

The business had been a firm favourite in the city for decades, having served the music community in the North East and beyond for more than 115 years with its large and varied collection of musical instruments, sheet music and vinyl records. Its collapse triggered an outpouring of shock and sadness, with Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys and the band Lindisfarne issuing heartfelt statements on the closure of the store.

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The business was put up for sale a week after it entered administration, but now marketing materials have been issued showing how the huge unit is one of three available to rent in the Central Arcade, the Edwardian shopping parade which has become one of the city’s most striking landmarks. Property consultancy @Retail is acting for the buildings’ owners – the real estate entrepreneurs, the Reuben Brothers, who snapped up the property in October 2022.

Lindisfarne performing a short set outside JG Windows in June 2023
Lindisfarne performing a short set outside JG Windows in June 2023 -Credit:Michael Bailey/Lindisfarne

Based at 1-7 Central Arcade, the former music shop is set over the ground, basement and first floors and is the flagship unit within the arcade, facing into the mall, and the agents say it could be suitable for retail or restaurant use, with the potential to sub-divide the accommodation.

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Ian Angus, director at @Retail, said: “We’re exploring options in terms of reconfiguring the space which is arranged over ground, basement and first floor which has wonderful views of Grey’s Monument from the Bull Nose at the junction of Grey Street and Grainger Street. A number of great brands, both fashion and restaurant uses, have expressed interest in the space with whom discussions are ongoing.”

Elsewhere within the landmark building the former Nudo unit is currently under offer.