From shipping containers to Mobikes: How Newcastle city centre changed during 2018; From new parks and new bars to giant cranes appearing on the skyline, here we take a look at how Newcastle city centre changed throughout 2018.
Byline: Katie Dickinson
Bars opening and closing and buildings going up and down,Newcastle city centreis always a busy place.
And withshipping container villagesand therise and fall of the Mobike, this was a particularly busy year.
Here we look at what's changed in the city centre during 2018.
Originallylaunched in Newcastle in October last year, the distinctive orange bikes became a familiar sight around the city.
And in MarchNewcastle City Councilagreed to let the cycle hire scheme double its fleet and expand even further throughout the area, with it also expanding to Gateshead ahead of theGreat Exhibition of the North.
But it wasn't all good news - the sight of Mobikes dumped in odd places became increasingly common, with reports of thembeing set on fire, dumped in the river and impaled on fences among the many reports of vandalism.
And in September Mobike announced that it was dramatically reducing the size of its fleet in Newcastle and Gateshead after a review into "worrying levels ofvandalism and theft".
This was the summer Tynesidefell in lovewith shipping containers.
Technically not Newcastle city centre - but just a short trip over the Swing Bridge, Gateshead'sBy The River Brew Cobecame one of the most popular spots of the summer when it opened at the beginning of July.
Just weeks before the venue was due to open,Gateshead Counciladmitted it had been overambitious with the original plans for the multi-levelled shipping complex made up of 90 shipping containers.
Although on a smaller scale, the By The River Brew Co has been a hit with drinkers and even gained attention from The Michelin Guide- which took to social media in November to recommend a visit to the brewery and Trakol restaurant.
Get a taste of the By The River Brew experience
The famous restaurant and hotel guide tweeted: "With their on-site BTRBrewCo micro-brewery and dishes cooked over coal in Trakol there's never been a better time to cross over to the Gateshead side of the Tyne.
Besides its bar attractions and Trakol restaurant, the redeveloped site also includes a Friday to Sunday HWKRMRKT - a street food Hawkers Market which will also have a presence at the upcoming Enchanted Parks - and a Backyard Bike Shop which offers custom-made bike services, brunch and coffee.
A little later to the party after a challenge to its licensing application, Stack becameNewcastle's answer to the shipping container villagewhen it opened in mid-August.
Besides the main bar areas...
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