Tesco Deal ‘to Make City Research Leader’
By Audrey Forbes
HOSPITAL redevelopment plans that would create 900 jobs and make the North-East a world leader in Alzheimer’s research were unveiled yesterday.
The Institute for Ageing and Health revealed a partnership between Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Tesco for the pounds 100m project.
The new Campus for Ageing and Vitality is proposed for the Newcastle General Hospital site as health services are switched to the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman Hospital from next spring.
It is hoped the campus will spearhead research into combating age- related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other dementia and translate those findings into the commercial development of products and services for healthy living and ageing.
Professor Oliver James, pro-vice-chancellor of medical sciences at Newcastle University, said the campus aimed to become a world leader for the study of ageing.
"Our vision for this site is that in the next five years we want to be the premier place for research and treatment for elderly people wherever you are in Britain, Europe or the world.
"When you think of children’s health you think of Great Ormond Street in London and when you think of research into the ageing population we want people to think of Campus for Ageing and Vitality in Newcastle."
The Institute for Ageing and Health, which is part of Newcastle University and works closely with clinicians from the NHS, is already based on the Newcastle General Hospital site and is leading research on healthy ageing and age-related disorders.
The institute is already the best of its kind in Europe and its further growth as a world leader is a key element of the Newcastle Science City programme. The "hub" of Science City is planned for the former Tyne Brewery site in Newcastle city centre, but the Institute for Ageing and Health arm would be based at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality.
There will also be an NHS walk-in medical centre, a nutritional centre and specialist care for older people.
The front line proposal of the campus in West Road is a suggested 60,000sqft Tesco store.
A store of that size would create about 300 jobs in addition to 600 jobs the NHS and university estimate they would bring in.
Newcastle Hospitals Trust chief executive Len Fenwick explained the decision to bring Tesco on board. He said: "It brings the opportunity to underwrite the cost of regeneration of the Newcastle Hospital site.
"It is a major injection of capital funding for new buildings and facilities. They are complementing the research and development work we see." He said once the three-week consultation exhibition ended at Newcastle General on August 24, the trust would consider the views of the public.
Mr Fenwick said: "It is extremely exciting as Newcastle is already acknowledged as a centre of excellence in respect of research involving aging and regenerative medicine. It serves to reinforce and sustain that lead."
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