Adieu, pet

If Magic Weekend does take place next year, which appears unlikely, St James’ Park seems even less likely as a host. It’s a shame as Newcastle felt like a settled home for the event. The stadium is in a perfect location for city events such as this, and whether you stayed the night nearby, settled in a caravan park further out – which is what my family and friends did for the last couple of outings – or went by train on the day, it suited most travelling scenarios.

The powers that be are understandably inthrall to Everton’s new ground, but there is also a pragmatic consideration: League Express reports that Newcastle United have asked for three times the usual amount of money for renting the ground.

Too, all is not well at St James’. The new Stack fan zone, built right outside the ground, has caused ructions with local businesses. Stack is similar to a Boxpark or the long-dead Hatch in Manchester – a structure of shipping containers cobbled together to house various bars, pop-up eateries and a stage for gigs – and it has proved very popular with Newcastle supporters after matches. However, the local pubs and bars that used to make a killing are seeing those revenues drop-off sharply, so much so that a consortium of around 100 of them has threatened Newcastle United with legal action.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/N_kb0scN56Y?rel=0

The allure of Newcastle, mainly that it is in the city centre with plenty of open pubs, may be disappearing. Perhaps now is a good time to try somewhere else.