Newcastle City Council has approved plans to transform the former home of JG Windows, the historic city centre music shop that closed in 2024, into a new branch of the Thai restaurant chain The Giggling Squid.
From music shop to restaurant
The famous music shop opened in the Central Arcade in 1908 and became one of the region's best-known businesses. It shut down in November 2024, going into liquidation with debts of almost £1 million as its owners admitted it could no longer compete with online retail giants.
The prominent shop could now become part of The Giggling Squid, which has locations in York, Leeds and elsewhere around the UK. Taras Properties Ltd, the property vehicle for Central Arcade owners the Reuben brothers, lodged planning applications earlier this year for the conversion of the JG Windows site and the neighbouring empty unit on Grey Street previously occupied by health food firm The Naked Deli.
Council approval and conditions
A council officer's report said the scheme would “unfortunately result in the unavoidable loss” of the handpainted JG Windows signs on the Central Arcade shopfront, with the local authority advising that new signage should be painted directly over them.
The report added: “There is very little surviving original internal fabric and features as a result of alterations undertaken by previous occupiers of the building. The Council's Historic Environment officer is satisfied that the proposed repairs and refurbishment of the premises to prepare the building ready for re-use including the removal of the partition walls to amalgamate the ground floor units in order to provide the premises with a frontage and entrance to Grey Street and the proposed removal of sections of the internal walls to the first floor restaurant area to create a more open plan layout and connection between the rooms and the installation of proposed fire protection measures and sound insulation scheme to the first floor ceiling to prevent noise transference and associated installation of suspended ceilings would not result in any harm to the special interest or character of the listed building and would be acceptable.”
“The proposed refurbishment and redecoration of the Grey Street frontage is also welcomed and considered to be acceptable and in accordance with the Grainger Town shop front guidance subject to submission of schedules and further precise details of the proposed works and confirmation of the proposed shop front paint colour.”
Objections and future use
Four objections to the plans were received from the owners or residents of the flats above the JG Windows premises, raising concerns about potential noise and smells emanating from the restaurant. The council concluded that the applicant had demonstrated “appropriate” measures to deal with such issues, including “significant sound insulation”.
The planning documents submitted to the council argue that The Giggling Squid would “secure a long-term viable use for the vacant Grade II* Listed units”. They added: “The high quality fit out designed to complement a heritage asset will ensure that a space that is not currently fit for purpose without change and investment will be ready for use and enjoyment for the public. An actively used space of this size within the urban core will contribute to the vitality of the city centre with associated socio economic benefits.”
