The Courier had the chance to speak to their creative director, Ben Whitfield, about this endeavour. After the ribbon-cutting, we headed up to the igloos for an interview with a view. We talked about the markets themselves, organisation, Ben’s student experience, his Christmas must-dos, and much more…
COURIER: The igloos are beautiful - even being just a few feet above Grey Street and Granger Street feels different, doesn't it? Are the igloos new this year?
BEN WHITFIELD: This is brand new… it's the first year that we've done it.
COURIER: What inspired them?
BW: It was actually Event Inspirations, who own some bars and restaurants in town. We did a tender in April and we asked for people to come with ideas for the family zone. They have done the bar, Moosenwert, for the last two years, and so when the tender went out, they gave us this idea, additionally to the family zone in Old Eldon Square. I think this week as they've been building it, they probably regretted how much they've suggested! But it does feel like a lot has changed between last year and this year, and I think you'll see that when you come across to Old Eldon Square as well.
COURIER: Is there a section at the market, or a particular stall, that you think will appeal to students?
BW: I mean, the street food stuff will always, I think, be popular. We've done something a little bit different this year - for the last few years, the same traders have been at the Monument. They obviously find it very successful, but they’re [now] across in Old Eldon Square, and we've got some new traders up here. We didn't want people to turn up, coming up from the Metro or Grey Street, and see the same stalls that they’ve already seen. They're still here, all the iconic local stands that you know and love. But there's some new ones at the Monument, too - there's lots of nice retail stores, mainly on Granger Street.
COURIER: Definitely returning students will like that, won't they? They'll visit and see it's refreshed, and it's not the same as it was. We just wanted to ask about your time at Newcastle University? We understand you were a student?
BW: Yeah, and I wrote for the Courier occasionally, back in the day. I studied English Lit. I enjoyed it, but unfortunately, I realised yesterday it was 2007 when I graduated!
COURIER: What was your favourite part of Christmas in the city when you were a student?
BW: You know, it's funny because it sounds like a totally different experience. You almost assume when you're doing things that everyone knows about all of them. Especially now, working for NE1 and being in the city day in, day out, I genuinely don't know what I used to do! The main tradition that I did start when I was a student that I remember was It's a Wonderful Life at the Tyneside [Cinema]. I started going to see that every year from my first year of university and I think I've missed two [in] 15 years. It’s pretty iconic.
COURIER: That’s so lovely! Can we just ask you finally just about the 24 Doors of Christmas? Is there one particular event that you'd recommend for students?
BW: I mean Newcastle United probably - James's Park. I think if you want something that's quite iconic, quite unique, that might be the one for students. But then the other one that always appeals to me is the Lit & Phil. A lot of students don’t know it’s here, even people who live in Newcastle don’t know it’s here. The sort of subject matter they deal in, it might appeal to some students more than others, but the Lit and Phil … I remember the first time I saw a photograph of it online, and I was like “that cannot be in Newcastle!” They are pretty much our first email every year, and I think they have done it every year. it's almost really popular - so I’m going to say the Lit & Phil. Academic!
COURIER: We were just wondering - we saw on the website, 12 venues were confirmed online last week. Can you give us a hint about the next 12?
BW: I mean - we do have one that we might end up doing as the 25th Door. One that's never taken part. It's very, very famous, very old, on the Quayside.
COURIER: Is it the Cooper Bridge?
BW: It's not the Cooper Bridge. But if you were at the Cooper Bridge, you wouldn't be a million miles away from it, okay? This one was too unique not to do.
COURIER: That’s all our questions! Thank you so much!
BW: Do you want to head down and have a look at Old Eldon Square?
COURIER: Yes! Let’s go!
We explored the markets with Ben and the NE1 team, and you can read about our beautiful morning here. But, the Courier team are scratching their heads – what could the mystery venue be? Let us know what you think in the comments.
