July 20

Home of the Geordies and we go on a mission to find out why everyone in the UK says we must go to Newcastle and what makes the Geordies such good people.
Ironically we meet a lot of quite unfriendly people and find it hard to get many people to talk to; and then we’re directed into the Grainger Market by a tall friendly local lad.
The Grainger market is a joy, like a page out of an old lost book of what England used to be like.

As we’ve travelled around we’ve noticed there are few if any local butchers, greengrocers, bakers etc.; the whole local high-street retail sector seems to have be subsumed by giant supermarket chains. Until we come in here – it’s like the last stand.

We chat to friendly shop-owners, who feel a little under siege. ‘Ten years ago there was one supermarket, now there are 4 within 100 metres – it’s very tough for us. Four more butchers have closed in here just this year.’ They are justifiably proud of the quality of their local produce. Meat is brought in on the bone and prepared on-site with no packaging. 

I hope their last stand is long and they remain viable for many years.