Wallsend's Forum Shopping Centre is marking 60 years since it first opened in 1966, having evolved from a symbol of post-war progress into a 47-store retail destination. The centre was part of a wave of modern, purpose-built shopping complexes that opened across the UK in the 1960s, signalling a gradual shift away from traditional corner shops.
A New Era for Shopping in Wallsend
Similar centres opened across Tyneside in Gateshead, Jarrow, Hebburn, and Killingworth during the same period. At the time, the Forum was seen as a symbol of progress — a clean, modern, indoor retail environment for a town whose economy was largely defined by shipbuilding and heavy industry.
The Evening Chronicle reported in November 1966: "The Wallsend Forum Shopping Centre brings to housewives the amenities of shopping facilities under one roof. It provides a completely traffic-free area in which pedestrians can move in absolute safety and comfort. Parking is provided for over 250 cars on the ground and first floor levels, and bus stops are placed at both entrances to the shopping precinct."
From 1960s Prices to 1990s Refurbishment
A newspaper advert from the centre's Hadrian supermarket listed items at prices that reflect a very different shopping landscape: Osprey red salmon at 3s 4d (17p in today's money) per tin; Andrex toilet rolls at 1s 5d (7p) for a twin pack; and Maycafe instant coffee at 3s 6d (19p) per jar.
By the 1970s and 1980s, the Forum was established at the heart of Wallsend's retail scene, with a blend of national chains and long-standing local independents. In 1996, the centre underwent a £3m refurbishment. The Chronicle reported: "The new glazed roof, supported by columns in the central square and concourse areas, is one of many improvements to secure the town's long-term retailing future. Other new features include automatic doors at the entrance, to protect shoppers from the weather, as well as better lighting and surveillance cameras in the car park and throughout the mall."
Modern Challenges and New Ownership
The new millennium brought pressures familiar to town-centre malls across the country: competition from out-of-town retail such as Silverlink in North Tyneside, the shift to online shopping, and the cost-of-living squeeze of the 2010s and beyond. Locally, the decline of shipbuilding and other industries also took a major toll.
In 2023, North Tyneside Council's 'Ambition for Wallsend' regeneration strategy identified the Forum as a key project area in need of investment and renewal. In 2025, the Forum was bought by M Core, with day-to-day operations handed to Sheet Anchor Evolve. The new owners immediately set out to regenerate the site, improve the mix of tenants, cut vacancies, and make the centre a more community-focused shopping destination.
Seven Decades of Trading
As Wallsend Forum begins its seventh decade of trading in 2026, there are 47 stores and retail units operating, including major high street names such as Aldi, Boots, Iceland, Home Bargains, Specsavers, and Greggs.
