The North Shields Royal Quays Outlet shopping centre has been put up for sale following the appointment of receivers.

Daniel Hardy and Peter Loveday of commercial property consultancy Sanderson Weatherall LLP were appointed as receivers of the centre. After this appointment the decision had been made to put the shopping centre on the market with a £4m price tag attached.

The new ownership has come with many proposed changes, the managers sought to position the North Tyneside shopping centre as a unique “destination” outlet centre, attracting a new and younger shopper demographic. Something which has been said to have led to a notable increase in sales.

A scheme to draw more shoppers in was announced a year ago to help the centre navigate and grow its way out of the pandemic. The announced plans had a want for more independent retailers including first-time start-ups.

Newcastle’s Grainger Market where small retailers trade has inspired a “marketplace” plan for the Royal Quays which had been set in motion around the time the scheme was announced.

Matt Dawson, the centre’s manger devised the scheme to bring variety to the centre saying, “The high-street brands are either set in their ways or staying in the same location. This is a concept which gives more independents the chance to start off smaller and simplify the process for them. It’ll also give them the opportunity down the line, if they outgrow the stall, to expand- either in the centre or elsewhere nearby.”

Hoping to improve the centre, Daniel Hardy, of Sanderson Weatherall’s Leeds office, said: “This popular shopping centre has been in the same ownership of 17 years and the appointment of receivers provides an excellent opportunity for a purchaser to build on its success and take it to the next level. We are looking forward to working with current and future tenants to strengthen the centre’s offer to customers and maximise its potential.”

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City cabaret club bar Eazy Street has announced on Facebook that it is going to shut this weekend.

In an emotional post on Tuesday 4^th April, iconic gay bar Eazy Street announced that this coming Easter weekend will be its last as they prepare to shut.

The cabaret club opened 13 years ago and is situated opposite the Life Centre and is right next door to the Dog and Parrot.

“It’s with a heavy heart. We inform you all. This is THE LAST WEEK OF EAZY STREET AND EAZYOKE” they announced on their Facebook page.

Opening Thursday to Sunday this week gives people their chance to say goodbye to the venue.

Popular and regular performer Miss Lucy in an emotional post said, “The past 13 years have been an amazing 13 years. I started a month after it opened and will be there when it closes the doors for the final time.”

“I started there as a baby queen and the bar has moulded me into the queen I am today.”

In what they are dubbing ‘The Grand Finale’ on Sunday, doors open at 5pm with Danni Delonco, followed by Miss Lucy and party anthems from 9pm until the end.

The post goes on to thank all the staff and the management and hopes to see everyone for one last time.

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Mardi Gras No. 58 have made the ‘Doner Delish’ a permanent addition to their toastie menu.

This mouth-watering meal has been unveiled by a food stall at Tynemouth Market, where it “went down a storm” with customers on its debut weekend at the end of last month. So much so, the husband and wife duo Nicki Thompson and Dean Thompson, have made it a permanent addition to their Tynemouth Market food stall.

The couple set up their Mardi Gras No.58 food stall at the popular market in October last year, specialising in sourdough toasties “with a twist”.

The stall strives to serve up “quirky and modern” toasties  like the customer favourite Popeye Pesto, a toastie filled with pesto-coated chicken, spinach and cheese. Or for those who like a kick, there’s also the Buffalo Badboy, made of spicy beef mince with jalapenos and fresh chillies.

Mardi Gras has already taken inspiration from other popular takeaway dishes, with their Pizza Pepperoni toastie sandwiching pizza toppings between two sourdough slices.

Packed with doner meat, crispy red onion, gooey melted cheese, and finished off with garlic and chilli sauce, Nicki and Dean urged people via their Facebook page: “Don’t knock it until you try it!”.

The couple have hinted at toastie fans to “watch this space” for more indulgent inventions from Mardi Gras No. 58 coming soon!

What takeaway delight would you like to see in toastie form next? We’d love to try a take on the Teesside parmo!

Would you try the ‘Doner Delish’?