A much-loved local actor is helping to tell the story of the transformation works currently underway on Newcastle’s iconic Northumberland Street.
Benwell born Tim Healy, famous for his roles in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Benidorm, takes up the role of a local grandfather in a new short film – A Walk Down Northumberland Street. In the film, Healy plays a grandfather guiding his granddaughter – played by rising star Marley Sage, along the historic street. As they walk, he explains the importance of the works and why it must be completed to the highest standard.
Produced in partnership with Taylor Woodrow, Newcastle City Council’s construction partner and the Sunday for Sammy Trust, the film offers behind the scenes detail about this once in a generation project. As Tim puts it: “They’re not just laying a patio.”
Tim Healy is the Chair of Trustees for the Sunday for Sammy charity and the script for the film was written by fellow trustee and performer Cal Halbert. The film explores the street’s rich history, from its days as part of the A1 to its current role as one of the city’s busiest pedestrian streets. Tim also explains the complexity of the work involved, including:
- High-voltage power lines beneath the surface, requiring careful hand-digging in parts to ensure safety while keeping the city open for business.
- Minimising disruption by keeping the street as free of materials and equipment as possible.
- Balancing heritage and progress, using high quality, sustainable materials – much of new paving being laid by hand.
Cllr Dan Greenhough, Cabinet member for Economy, Jobs and Skills at Newcastle City Council said: “The improvement works on Northumberland Street will secure its future for generations to come. We appreciate the work underway is multifaceted and much more involved than other projects that on the face of it look similar.
“We knew from the start of the project that time would be needed to make sure it’s a job well done, especially with so many unknowns beneath the surface which could throw up curve balls that would need to be resolved.
“Much of these have now been dealt with, and we are now progressing well. The end result will not only look fantastic it will provide somewhere that local people can be proud of, visitors want to come to and where businesses can thrive.
“I would like to thank Taylor Woodrow and Sunday for Sammy for bringing the work to life through this film, and it’s an honour that Tim, such a well-loved and well-known actor from our city agreed to be part of this.”
Matthew Stubbings, Business Unit Director, Taylor Woodrow Civils North and Midlands said: “The transformation of Northumberland Street will create a space the city can be proud of for generations to come. Taylor Woodrow is honoured to be part of this journey. Success depends on local support, which is why our partnership with Newcastle City Council is so important to us. We hope the film offers insight into the complexity of this work, helping the project team and local community collaborate to achieve the best outcome for the city.”
Ray Laidlaw, from the Sunday for Sammy Trust said: “Sunday for Sammy has been synonymous with Tyneside for 25 years, a long way behind Northumberland Street but equally cherished by the Geordies. We were delighted to assist with the film highlighting the current transformation of this historic street and honoured to have been invited to contribute to the time capsule.”
