Newcastle and its nightlife is changing fast. As the city gears up to be a serious contender for the European Capital of Culture bid in 2008, it is striving to become a 24 hour city with a vibrant night-time economy. Big changes are underway: the infamous Bigg Market pubs are now competing with exclusive and expensive café and style bars on the Quayside and a wave of stylish venues are opening along the city’s wealthy Osborne Road, while at the same time many of Newcastle’s favourite independent venues such as Rockshots and the Mayfair close down.

Changing Our ‘Toon’ asks who are the winners and losers in these transformations and what is the future for the 'party city' and the legendary 'geordie night out'. The authors portray how the city’s nightlife, in common with most other large cities, is increasingly becoming a playground for wealthy consumers.

Changing Our ‘Toon’ investigates what lies behind the changes in Newcastle’s nightlife by examining:

• changing patterns of ownership, takeovers and mergers, and the branding and theming of nightlife;
• the reasons behind the tight control of Newcastle’s licensing laws, and recent attempts by the local authority to shake up the city and stimulate economic development;
• the changing experiences of going out in the 'toon', focusing on case studies of the Bigg Market, Quayside, Osborne Road, the ‘Pink Triangle’ and the Ouseburn Valley;
• key issues facing the city such as corporate dominance in the city's nightlife, the approach of the police, city centre residents, issues such as violence, safety and access, and the city's evolving image.

(Paul Rubenstein, Head of Arts and Culture, Newcastle City Council)

 This publication stems from work undertaken as part of a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

(http://www.ncl.ac.uk/youthnightlife)