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The site of the Urban Televillage covers an area known to have experienced
Roman activity - Westgate Road largely follows the line of Hadrian’s
Wall. Later finds, including medieval artifacts, have also been recovered
in the vicinity - not surprising since Pink Lane runs just inside the
line of a stretch of the medieval town wall.
In medieval times the land was the property of the Blessed Virgin Mary
hospital in Westgate, with the frontage on the Westgate Street side, and
it extended to roughly the Pink Lane border of the site.
 1700's |
During the 18th and 19th centuries Westgate Street, as it was still known,
was a desirable residential area with large grounds extending to the Pink
Lane boundary. The site of the building at 7-13 Pink Lane originally formed
the gardens of the premises at 65 Westgate Road - now known as Adamson
House.
| 1800's |
By 1830 the two plots which make up 65 Westgate Road were owned by John
Adamson, a solicitor, and used as one single building. By 1855 the premises
of 65 Westgate Road were occupied by Angus & Company, coach and harness
manufacturers. In 1830, before Angus relocated to Westgate Road, the Pink
Lane side of the site was still covered by gardens or orchards (Oliver
1830).
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Over the next few years Henry Angus extended his coach works on to the
Pink Lane site later occupied by the Turner’s building, adding storage
buildings, carriage sheds and stables. The building was subsequently altered
several times, including the addition of a cobbled cartway improving access
for horses and carriages.
By the turn of the century it seems that a permanent structure was built
on the site of 7-15 Pink Lane. Contemporary plans and applications for
planning permission indicate that the frontage has altered little since
this time, and the upper storeys of the building were probably used as
a mixture of office and storage space, with the cart way passing underneath.
| 1900's |
The site had various uses and occupants after Angus and Co. moved out.
7-15 Pink Lane was used as a chemists shop from 1931, owned by Mr Jack
Turner. He later branched out into Photography and Film-making, first
of all building up his successful business in his Pink Lane premises,
then expanding to other sites in Newcastle and the North East.
The old Turner's building was eventually taken over by North East Workspace
and after its full refurbishment it is now known as Northumbrian Water
House
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