The key historic centre of Newcastle has undergone a major facelift as part of a Townscape Heritage Initiative funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with MawsonKerr as lead consultant and architects. The project has involved 17 of the surrounding buildings on Bigg Market, Cloth Market and Groat Market along with the public realm and iconic Victorian Gentlemen's WC.

Infamous as part of Newcastle's legendary nightlife, this core of the city had become neglected and many of the historic building facades needing urgent work ahead of the original detail being lost forever. As part of the £3.2 million budget NE1 are organising various events and workshops to celebrate the enhancement of the area.