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Shop till you drop on Tyneside
NewcastleGateshead, the new name for the two cities which form the core of Tyneside, is an exciting and popular destination for a wide range of visitors. Although the conurbation boasts excellent modern art and music scenes, along with beautiful scenery on the nearby coast, perhaps the most celebrated aspects are its football, nightlife and shopping.
High-end fashionistas are well served by several stylish stores around Princess Square in the city centre. Strand, Cruise and its smaller menswear-only branch, Cruise 2, are said to be favourites among the well-heeled lads of Newcastle United FC and of course the WAG set. Reiss, just across the street, is the place for classically cut formal wear while more 'street'-oriented, edgy modern fashion can be found at Union and Envy around the towering landmark of Grey's Monument.
The alternative clothing market is also well catered for with a cluster of skate shops stocking extreme sports gear and American-influenced fashion around Market Street. There are several more outré stores around Old Eldon Square, along with cool independent record stores, the best of which are Newcastle institutions Pet Sounds and Steel Wheels. Many of the students at Newcastle's two universities source original vintage clothing from Period Clothing, Nitro and Attica to perfect the slightly down-at-heel, 'shabby chic' look.
Small, independent clothes designers, along with jewellery and other crafts, are out in force at the recently established Quayside market which runs on Sundays in the city's most happening quarter, alongside the river with its famous bridge, the Baltic gallery and the sparkling new Sage building. A little way outside of the city centre, but easily accessible by Metro, there's the popular weekly Armstrong Bridge arts and crafts market which is held on a pedestrianised bridge over the picturesque Jesmond Dene and since 1963 has hosted scores of local independent traders selling all kinds of artworks, pottery and wooden crafts, knitwear and jewellery. It's a charming way to spend a Sunday and the best place to pick up a unique gift for someone who has everything.
Gateshead is home to the MetroCentre, the biggest shopping centre in Europe, including over 300 shops, an indoor theme park, cinema and bowling alley and over 50 restaurants. Open until 9pm weekdays, or 10 in the run-up to Christmas, crowds flock here to get all their Christmas shopping done under one roof – there genuinely is something for everyone. Alternatively, another good way to get out of the chilly North-Eastern weather is Eldon Square, located right in Newcastle city centre with over 150 stores, including the flagship Fenwick department store with five floors of fashion, homeware, toys, cosmetics and an excellent food hall.
For visitors who prefer to stay and sample Newcastle's famous bars and clubs, theatre and restaurants, or who simply want to shop till they drop and then chill out in luxurious comfort of an evening, there are plenty of relaxing and stylish hotels in Newcastle and Gateshead which makes it easy to buy a little more time.
