The History of Gosforth High Street

Every High Street has a story — but Gosforth's is more colourful than most. What's now one of the North East's strongest independent shopping streets started life as a political scheme, became part of the main road from London to Edinburgh, gave birth to Britain's biggest bakery chain, survived the loss of its cinemas and the decline of its department stores, and is now reinventing itself around independent food, drink, and community. Here's the history, decade by decade.

1826: Bulman Village

Gosforth's modern centre didn't grow organically — it was built deliberately. In 1826, a local figure called Job James Bulman built a settlement of properties on the Great North Road, large enough to qualify the occupiers as "forty shilling freeholders" — giving them the right to vote. The purpose was straightforward: to provide voters who would support his cause in local elections.

The settlement became known as Bulman Village. A stone bearing the name survives today, incorporated into the facade of what was the Halifax Bank building, north of the Brandling Arms. The Blacksmith's Arms pub on the High Street stands on the site of the original village blacksmith's forge. And the Job Bulman Wetherspoons on St Nicholas Avenue is named after the founder himself — housed in the former 1920s post office building.

The Great North Road

For much of its history, the High Street wasn't just a local shopping street — it was the A1, the main road from London to Edinburgh. All north-south traffic between Newcastle and the Scottish border passed directly through the centre of Gosforth. This brought trade, coaching inns, and a steady flow of travellers, but also noise, congestion, and heavy goods vehicles rumbling past the shops.

It wasn't until 1988 that the construction of the western bypass took the A1 on a different route around the city, finally relieving the High Street of through traffic and allowing it to develop as a proper suburban centre.

1878: The Gosforth Hotel

The Gosforth Hotel at 205 High Street was built in 1878 as the area grew from a small settlement into a Victorian suburb. A buffet bar was added in 1891. In 1900 the property was bought by Arthur's Hill Brewery, and the exceptional tiled facade — which still survives today — was added in 1913. The building is on the Local List of buildings of special local architectural or historic interest. It's been serving pints on the High Street for nearly 150 years.

1934: The Royalty Cinema

Gosforth once had two cinemas. The Royalty Cinema opened on the High Street on 17 October 1934 and operated for nearly half a century before closing on 30 December 1981. The Globe Cinema on Salters Road was the other. In an era before television, these were the community's main entertainment venues — and their loss is still felt by older residents who remember queuing for Saturday matinees.

1951: The Birthplace of Greggs

One of the High Street's most remarkable claims to fame. In 1951, a baker called John Gregg opened a shop on Gosforth High Street — purchased for £7,750 — to broaden his delivery business into retail. By 1953 the operation consisted of one shop and six delivery vans. When John Gregg died in 1964, his sons Ian and Colin took over. The first factory opened on Christon Road on the Gosforth Industrial Estate in 1968.

That single Gosforth shop became Greggs — now the UK's largest bakery chain with over 2,500 outlets. There is still a Greggs on Gosforth High Street today, though not in the original premises.

The 1950s–1970s: The Shopping Heyday

In the mid-20th century the High Street was a self-contained shopping destination. Residents remember Hunter's Wool Shop, Lilburn's the Fishmongers, Maynards the sweet shop, Boydelles the toy shop, the Toy Cupboard, and Moods the gift shop. Thorpes of Gosforth — the hardware shop at 110-112 High Street — opened in 1947 and is now in its third generation of the same family. Gosforth Butchers has been on the High Street for over 40 years.

1979: The Shopping Centre

The Gosforth Shopping Centre opened in 1979, connecting the High Street to Gosforth Central Park behind it. It housed a Sainsbury's, WHSmith, and various other chains. For decades it was the commercial anchor of the area. In 2025 it was rebranded as Gosforth Central and is being reimagined as a hub for independent retailers — with arrivals including Pure Knead bakery, Pique restaurant, and DE:CO homeware.

Woolworths and the Chains

Like every British high street, Gosforth had its Woolworths — one of the largest shops on the street, probably purpose-built around 1941. It closed in 2016 and the unit went through several incarnations (Co-op, McColls) before being taken over by Tremolo Lounge in 2025. The building's journey from Woolworths to a cafe bar is a neat summary of how High Street retail has changed.

The 21st Century Revival

The past few years have seen a genuine resurgence. Where Gosforth could have gone the way of many struggling high streets — dominated by charity shops, estate agents, and empty units — it has instead attracted a wave of independent, food-led businesses. Say When (wine bar), Pique (South American restaurant), Pure Knead (artisan bakery), Hopscotch (soft play cafe), and Kult (specialty coffee) are all recent arrivals.

The cycle lane debate continues to shape how the street functions for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. And the shopping centre rebrand signals a deliberate shift towards community-focused independent retail.

What Survives

Walk the High Street today and you can still read its history. The Gosforth Hotel's 1913 tiled facade. The Bulman Village stone above a shopfront. The Blacksmith's Arms on the site of the original forge. Thorpes hardware, trading since 1947. Berry's hairdressers, since 1976. Basilico, since 1990. Francesca's, since 1998. And a Greggs — because of course there's a Greggs. It all started here.

If you have memories or photographs of old Gosforth High Street shops, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch via our contact page.