Stunned customers turned up at JG Windows in Newcastle’ Central arcade today, only to find the windows blocked out and next door a notice from Mincoffs Solicitors on the door reading as follows:
“NOTICE is given that an application has been made for a new licence at the above address”
It appears that next door to Windows is to become a late night venue.
So ends a Newcastle cultural institution, which has caused a considerable outpouring of sadness.
Central Arcade
JG Windows was of course sited in the beautiful Central Arcade which was built in 1906 and designed by Oswald and Son, of Newcastle. It is arguably the jewel in the crown of Newcastle’s beautiful Graingertown. Indeed, the Central Arcade is contained within the Central Exchange Buildings which were built by Richard Grainger in 1837. The arcade replaced the interior of the Exchange Building, which was badly damaged by fires in 1867 and 1901. The arcade cuts through from Grey Street to Market Street and also has an entrance on Grainger Street. Central Arcade is Grade II* listed on the National Heritage List for England.
The arcade is particularly renowned for its transparent roof, letting the light in and the use of Burmantoft tiles. These are tiles specially made at Burmantoft near Leeds and are found in other venues in Newcastle city centre, including the Beehive pub in the Bigg Market. Their heyday is said to have been between 1880 and 1904, just prior to the Central Arcade being developed.
JG Windows
As for JG Windows, it was opened two years after the Central Arcade in 1908. Until its closure on 29 November, JG Windows Ltd was one of the UK’s longest established music stores. It was known as the company’s flagship store and was set out over three floors in the Central Arcade, which the company’s own publicity described as “an elegant Edwardian shopping arcade in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne’s city centre.” In 2008, the shop celebrated its one hundred year anniversary.
The shop was named after James Gale Windows who was born in 1870 in Cowley, Oxfordshire. He moved to Newcastle in his late teens, working as a music seller’s assistant, while boarding in Elswick. In 1901 James moved to Heaton with his wife Maude and first son Maurice. At this time James was already involved in music, as he was working as a pianoforte dealer’s assistant.
In 1908 James was able to open his own shop in the Central Arcade selling recorded music and musical instruments. James’s son Maurice joined the company in the early 1920s and he opened a second music shop in Darlington. In 1925, the company received its certificate of incorporation and by 1927 it is said that, “second son Hedley had also joined the company and ran the music department in the Newcastle shop.”
Why has Windows closed?
It was reported in the Chronicle in September last year that Windows was up for sale. It was said that: “Specialist property agency Christie & Co is on the hunt for a new owner for the store, which sells keyboards, pianos, guitars and drums, brass, classical and folk instruments as well as sheet music and recorded music on vinyl, CD and DVD.”
Sadly, the hunt was all to no avail, as reported on 29 November that after efforts to sell the business over the previous year had failed, the company had gone into liquidation with 17 employees made redundant.
Windows sent out the following email: “It is with great sadness that we announce that JG Windows music store in the Central Arcade, Newcastle, has closed permanently.
After proudly serving customers across the North East and beyond with all things musical since 1908 and being a cornerstone of the region’s musical heritage, our business can no longer compete with the move to online retail and we have taken the difficult decision to close.
We would like to thank everyone for their support, custom and friendship over the years.”
A part of our local heritage
Many people have expressed sadness at the closing of Windows, a shop which meant a lot to many people in and around Newcastle. I bought music, books and musical instruments there, as did so many others, including famous musicians like Sting and Mark Knopfler.
However, perhaps the saddest part of the story will be the ending of the scheme which Windows had with young musicians, whereby they could rent an instrument out to see if it suited them before buying it, an excellent and very sensible way to go forward…
The closure of Windows leaves a large gap in the cultural life and heritage of Newcastle and a lot of personal memories as well.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
