Plans to transform one of the Tyne Bridge’s towers into an events space could see the creation of a rooftop viewing platform with spectacular 360-degree views across the city.

On last month’s 90th anniversary of the grand bridge spanning the Tyne, leading leisure group Tokyo Industries revealed plans to open up one of its two granite towers to the public.

Following several years of negotiation, the firm’s founder Aaron Mellor – who first came to the city as an architecture student more than 25 years ago – has secured a lease for the tower, which was originally designed to be a warehouse but has lain empty for decades.

How the event space could look inside the Tyne Bridge North Pier tower
How the event space could look inside the Tyne Bridge North Pier tower

The first phase could lead to the first floor of the seven-storey structure being transformed into an events space to host intimate weddings, art shows and bar and club events.

And new documents filed to city planners, asking for listed building approval, outline how the second phase could give the public access to a rooftop terrace with unrivalled views over Newcastle and beyond.

Subsequent developments could also be explored within the structure.

Tokyo Industries is the Newcastle group behind a string of more than 30 UK clubs, bars and hotels, including the city’s Waterside Hotel, Tup Tup Palace and the Riverside, as well as venues in York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds and Manchester.

Yet the firm has stressed that this project is worlds apart from its leisure ventures and has been designed, with help from Arca Architects, to give something back to the people of Newcastle.

The first phase involves giving the public access though lifts and a new staircase designed “to be a dramatic sculptural element in the space, and not merely a standard object”, cleaning the first floor space of debris and bird waste and carrying out repairs.

New signage above the west door is also proposed.

A cross section of the Tyne Bridge tower shows the space within
A cross section of the Tyne Bridge tower shows the space within

The new documents also say: “The project represents a unique opportunity to safely open up and occupy an extraordinary space hidden from public view since its completion.

“The second phase of the building is intended to follow in due course, comprising the opening of the rooftop of the East Pylon as a public viewing deck and social space, with spectacular views of the city skyline.

“The structure is the home to a protected species - the black-legged kittiwake. Though the presence of the birds is a significant challenge in developing the building (especially in the nesting season), the applicant has sought expert advice on mitigations to the impact of the uses on the birdlife.

“The proposals are compatible with existing aims for the city centre, whilst complementing the offer to those seeking a spectacular venue for product launches, art shows, entertainment events, dinners, or weddings. It is hoped that the Phase 1 proposals also establish a successful platform for subsequent phases of development in the building, subject to appropriate consultation and permissions.”

Mr Mellor said: “The project is super exciting. For me it’s a gift back to a city that has treated me very well. It’s a nice full stop to have access to arguably one of the most significant iconic buildings in the UK, certainly outside London.

“I arrived in the city in 1991 to study building and architecture at university before developing a career in music venues, bars and festivals.

“Although my background is leisure and clubbing, I want to stress this project is very much an altruistic one, designed as a creative incubator for visual and creative arts, which are passions of mine, as is the city of Newcastle.”