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The Cooperage is the most complete late medieval timber-framed building in Newcastle.

Dating from 1430, this ancient building has unfortunately fallen into disrepair, due to neglect.

The Cooperage is a privately owned Grade 2 listed building situated on the Quayside in Newcastle.

The building was formerly a merchants’ houses, including Bessie Surtees’ House, which survived the Great Quayside Fire of 1854.

The ground floor ceiling timbers are reported to have come from a Dutch merchant ship sunk in the river Tyne.

Building survey in 1990s suggests that the building in its present form dates from the mid 16th century, compatible with the character of carpentry and method of construction.

The use of stone walls for ground and first floor is a feature of Newcastle vernacular tradition.

The later phases of the building date to the final period of timber-framed construction in the town.

The final change from timber-framing to all brick construction probably took place in the late 17th century.

In 1974, the building became a public house.

Between 2003 and 2005, an archaeological dig unearthed an unusually well-preserved wooden bowl and various pieces of pottery from the 14th and 15th Centuries.

A further four-month dig unearths pottery pieces and household equipment, it also uncovered a back room brewery house and some Roman remains.

In 2009, it was purchased by Apartment Group and closed, with no plans to refurbish.

The Cooperage is also said to be one of the most haunted buildings in Newcastle.

Sounds of footsteps on the staircase have been heard when the pub is closed, and shouting.

A young girl in a shimmering dress combing her long blonde hair has been seen, and a man wearing a top hat looking out of a second floor window.

Standing empty since its closure in 2009, it has fallen into disrepair due to neglect and a lack of regular maintenance.

It was added to the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register in 2017.

In a statement, Historic England said that they're aware of the recent petition to improve the condition of the building, and they are in conversation with the local authority about the situation.

Owners of listed buildings, however, are under no legal obligation to maintain their property in a good state of repair; even though it is in their interest to do so.

A petition has since been set up called, ‘Save the Cooperage.’

The petition says: “The Cooperage is currently under threat of irreversible damage, with the possibility of it having to be demolished.

”That’s because its private owner, Apartment Group, has let it rot for the best part of a decade and has admitted it has no plans for the building's future.

“Save The Cooperage believes it is our duty to take control of this situation, to preserve our unique heritage for future generations, and for the preservation of the Geordie Culture.”

Save The Cooperage is a community action group consisting of members of the public who support and/or wish to volunteer their time and expertise to the general benefit of the community.

They all have our individual talents, experience and abilities which, combined, give their community strength and versatility; only by working as a community can we succeed.

One person in the group suggested that: “It should be restored inside and out then Turned into a museum/historic visitor attraction or as a last resort Taken apart and rebuilt at Beamish.”

Click HERE to get involved, find out more and to sign the petition.

Alternatively, you can play a crucial role in raising public awareness and strengthening support for the campaign by writing to Newcastle City Council’s MP’s, The Lord Mayor of Newcastle and newspapers.

Reacting to the news on social media someone said: “Was one of the nicest pubs in Newcastle when I was at uni, crying shame it’s in the state it’s in. Petition signed.”

Another person added: “Seems to me like the company are waiting for it to deteriorate beyond repair so that they can demolish the building and develop the site.

”Selling the building for it to be relocated and erected elsewhere might be something to consider, it’s been done before.”

Another person in favour of saving the historic structure said: “I hope that Save The Cooperage are successful in their mission to save and preserve this beautiful building as it would be criminal to leave it to rot.”

The Cooperage is situated on the Quayside.

In the past, the Quayside played a central part of Newcastle's industrial history and heritage, serving as a commercial dockside.

Coal was also ferried down to the Quayside via the Victoria Tunnels, which are now a popular tourist attraction.

The factories, such as the Baltic Flour Mill and Hoults Yard pottery, which have both since been transformed, flourished nearby at Gateshead Quays.

After much of the industry moved on, the area underwent a huge regeneration in the early 2000s, and has since become a hub of arts and culture for the North East, as well as a home to many of the region's best bars and pubs.

Newcastle has a rich history stretching all the way back to Roman times.

So it’s little surprise the city is home to several buildings which are considered to be exceptional when it comes to their historical importance.

In fact, several of Newcastle's buildings are Grade I listed - the highest category that can be bestowed on a building.

It’s thought that just 2.5% of all listed buildings in England are classified as Grade I, making them a rare find.

Some examples of Newcastle’s Grade I listed buildings include Grey’s Monument, St Nicholas’ Cathedral, and the Black Gate and adjoining Castle Keep.

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