A trio of retailers have signed up to move into the biggest office scheme to take shape in Newcastle.
The construction of Pilgrim’s Quarter is now close to completion, with a few remaining until the building is handed over to its new tenants. The new Government hub is set to become home to HMRC and other civil service departments once it is fully operational, offering space for up to 9,000 workers as the largest of HMRC’s 14 regional centres.
The 678,000 sqft building, spread over six to nine storeys, fronts Pilgrim Street, Market Street, New Bridge Street West, and John Dobson Street, and as well as offering brand new office space for its workers, the building is also set to welcome a number of retailers within the ground floor. Four units have been available on the Pilgrim Street side of the property, and now three well-known businesses have signed up for leases.
Property agents @retail, which is acting for Motcomb Estates, the Reuben Brothers’ property arm, said that Caffè Nero have taken Unit 2, adjoining Metro Bank (Ƶ) and Tesco Express, while another firm set to sign up for the fourth unit. Newcastle property firm @retail is letting agent alongside Stephen Henderson of Barker Proudlove.
Plans for the office were first revealed more than four years ago by real estate billionaires and minority NUFC shareholders the Reuben Brothers, when their company Taras Properties enlisted local companies to draw up plans for the huge, 463,000 sqft Government hub.
At the time, the Stack shipping container leisure hub was still in operation on the land, left empty following the demolition of the former Odeon Cinema. Within months the drinking and dining destination had been taken apart to make way for contractor Bowmer and Kirkland to move onto the site and get to work on what will be the Government’s largest building outside of London.
Letting agents Ian Angus of @retail and Steve Henderson of Barker Proudlove said: “It is great to announce the latest line up at Pilgrim’s Quarter, with four national brands committing to the development off plan and strong interest in the final unit. Whilst Metro Bank are a new entrant to the city, securing Cafe Nerro, Tesco and one soon to be announced national brand for further sites in the city is a testament to the wider draw of our clients development led regeneration around Pilgrim Street.
“We look forward to handing over the units in December 2025 with stores opening in Q1/Q2 2026. The development will be 100% occupied on completion, which mirrors the position in our client’s other city centre retail assets of Monument Mall and Central Arcade, where works to amalgamate the former JG Windows store with the former Naked Deli unit fronting Grey Street are under way and the resulting unit is under offer.”
Avison Young, who are project managing the wider Pilgrim Street development and are managing agent for the retail units, said: “It will be fantastic to see the retail units at Pilgrim’s Quarter open for business next year and we are working hard with the incoming tenants to make sure this happens.
“Work at Worswick Chambers and the former Fire Station is also nearing completion, which will further animate the Pilgrim Street frontages and generate footfall.”
