New Year, New Me in Newcastle
Whatever your new year's resolutions, these businesses will help you get there!
We all take time to reflect on the previous year and look ahead to the next as January rolls around.
It’s a great time to focus on yourself - whether that’s deciding to get a bit fitter physically or mentally, learning a new skill or finding an activity to get you away from the sofa for a while and maybe seeking to support the community while you do that.
Whatever way you're looking to better yourself in 2025, there's something in Newcastle that'll help you achieve all those New Year resolutions.
Fitness
Pure Gym, Eldon Garden
Pure Gym's city centre location is home to tonnes of fitness equipment with over 220 pieces of kit including cardio machines, free weights, resistance machines and much more. They also hold more than 50 fitness classes each week and they're open 24/7 too. What's more, their contract-free membership options mean getting fit at Pure Gym is affordable too.
The Gym Group, Newgate Street
Gyms can often be seen as intimidating places so the best way to start your wellness journey (or pick it up again) could be with a flexible monthly membership. The Gym Group help with this by starting from only £12.99 which you can stop and start whenever you want, with no year-long agreement and opening hours to suit anyone’s lifestyle. They also have loads of high-spec kit, a timetable packed full of free exercise classes and personal trainers if you’d like to create a bespoke plan.
City Baths, Northumberland Road
If all that lifting and lunging isn’t for you there’s another fantastic way of staying in shape by swimming at the City Baths. Stretch out those muscles and enjoy a much less impactful and relaxing session in the water. There are gym facilities available too should you wish to add to your fitness regime.
NU:Castle Foundation, Diana Street
This gem is a great fitness option for people of all ages and is based only five minutes’ walk from St James’ Park. The Foundation provides opportunities to improve the lives of thousands of children, teenagers, adults and older generations – so it's perfect for families. They offer education, advice and develop well-being programmes that help everyone be more active, learn new skills and feel happier and healthier.
Happy Yoga, Carliol Square
If the hustle and bustle of a busy gym isn’t your thing, then why not try an exercise class this new year? Happy Yoga is a great choice, led by Yoga Alliance Professionals-accredited teacher Jo Hutton. There’s options for everyone, from beginners to intermediates – as well as classes for those pregnant or postnatal too.
Dance City, Temple Street
If you’ve been lucky enough to catch one of the incredible performances at Dance City and ever thought, I’d love to have a go at that, then their wide range of classes are definitely worth checking out! There’s no shortage of things to pick from here, including introductions to contemporary, salsa and tap, and improver classes for when you fancy stepping up a level!
Healthy Food
Super Natural, Grainger Street
Specialising in vegan food and drink Supernatural is a cafe, bar and restaurant that started in 1976 and is still thriving today! Its welcoming staff and décor make for a comfortable environment, with delicious vegan food whether you go for a light bite or something more substantial. The menu is diverse and informative and you can spend time chilling and eating without the pressure to rush off.
Grainger Market, Grainger Street
Top quality locally produced and sourced meat, cheese, fish, fruit and vegetables and more greet you at the Grainger Market. There’s nothing quite like ‘harvesting’ your own produce from the stalls, so you can really appreciate the quality.
Deli Espresso, Strawberry Lane
Whether you’re sticking to the January diet, or fancy a cheat day sweet treat, Deli Espresso has something to satisfy any foodie. Head there for a full English brekkie, or protein pancakes in the morning, or maybe swap out the meal deal for one of their grilled sourdoughs or health boxes. Fancy a drink with that? There’s protein shakes, superfood smoothies and plenty of coffee to wash it all down with.
Olive Kitchen, Marlborough Crescent
Since opening last year, Olive Kitchen has been quickly gaining popularity for its delicious range of breakfasts, brunch and lunches – and understandably so! From Tuscan toast and Olive’s hash bowl, to loaded tiger fries and the vegan bad boy burger, there’s plenty to dig into inside this indie bistro.
Read a Book
WHSmith, Various Locations
Getting lost in other worlds and stories is a real luxury and great for rejuvenating brain cells as well as stimulating the imagination. You can pick up any of the current bestsellers and favourites from WHSmith’s, with the branch at Central Station especially handy if you’re heading off on a train journey. They’re also really good for multi-buy offers or discounts, so your finances aren’t swallowed up by your newfound appetite for reading.
Waterstones, Blackett Street
The booksellers at Waterstones love nothing more than sharing their love of reading with their customers. Whether you’re into thrillers, fantasy, novels, poetry or non-fiction, they are keen to help you find your next favourite author. When you've finished browsing, why not indulge in some quiet reading and a cappuccino in Café W, situated on the first floor. Lose yourself among their shelves and discover the wealth of reading they have available as Newcastle’s biggest bookstore.
The Lit & Phil, Westgate Road
This exquisite independent library was founded in 1793 and today it’s open to all and free to explore. It is a hub for learning and inspires young and old minds alike. It’s a real sanctuary for book lovers and an oasis for musicians too, with over 170,000 books and the largest collection of music in the North East. Check it out and be amazed and stimulated by the huge choice available.
Blackwell’s, Percy Street
Popular with university students and the general public, Blackwell’s hosts a huge selection of books to get your interest in reading started. Everything from bestsellers to specialist publications can be found on the hundreds of shelves inside. There are also regular literary events, book signings, book clubs and more to encourage you to read and join in with an amazing community of like-minded people sharing their passion together.
Sustainability
The Yesterday Society, Grainger Market
Opened and run by Geordie native Rachael Johnson, The Yesterday Society offers rails of authentic vintage, second-hand goodies bursting with bright colours and patterns. Dresses, jackets, bags and accessories are particular favourites with her customers. The city centre location, bright vibes and personal touch definitely makes this a fabulous browsing stop for all discerning vintage and sustainability enthusiasts.
Front Row, Fenwick, Northumberland Street
It may seem like a foreign concept or even a daunting prospect to rent clothing rather than buying, but the staff at Fenwick’s Front Row are friendly and can cater to every customer’s individual needs whatever the event or occasion. You can look fabulous in Dior, Dolce or Gucci for a fraction of the cost and simply return once the party’s over. Rental is a sensible sustainable option too - rather than filling your closet with underused fashion and accessories - not to mention the savings you’ll make! Get in on this now as it’s definitely going to be the future.
Try Something New
Point Blank Shooting, Newgate Street
Are you looking for a fully loaded night out? Point Blank Shooting is a unique activity bar that offers competitive shooting simulation ranges alongside refreshing drinks and tasty bar snacks. Guests can choose from a range of replica guns - from Glocks and Desert Eagles to AK-47s - and there's a tonne of shooting scenarios on offer too. Find out if you're enough of a crack shot to top the leaderboard!
Hatchet Harry’s, Forth Banks
The Canadian backyard past-time of axe throwing may seem like an unusual activity to get the mind and body ticking, but the skill and competition gets very real as you challenge yourself and others at Hatchet Harry’s. The helpful staff teach you the basics and there’s an obvious emphasis on safety, but the enjoyment of axe throwing itself and actually sticking the target is undeniably fun.
Exit, Westgate Road
Imagine the scenario: you find yourself locked in a room with friends, no possible escape and then have to work together solving a series of puzzles and mysteries to exit. That's the deal on offer at escape room emporium Exit on Westgate Road! There’s no time to waste and teamwork makes the dream work when it comes to live escape room success, so give your brains a real workout and search for those clues!
Smash Space, Scotswood Road
If you want to stress less this 2025, then a trip to Smash Space may be just what you need! Their rage rooms are perfect for having frustration-freeing fun, but there’s art launch (where you quite literally throw paint balls at a canvas to create your own piece of art!) and smash alley (which uses rocks and slingshots to smash objects) for the under 18s too.
Learn a New Skill
The Common Room, Neville Street
The Common Room is a great resource available to all the family when it comes to stretching the brain and learning a new skill. They regularly offer events and courses designed to improve learning, inspired by STEM, local heritage and education. There are also online programmes to follow and writing courses for anyone seeking to improve their skills and storytelling abilities. It’s definitely worth signing up to their newsletter to stay up to date.
Newcastle Arts Centre, Westgate Road
Alternatively, if you’re after something more creative for the New Year, then head to Newcastle Arts Centre. They host plenty of art courses throughout the months, like the Fundamentals of Painting, and Exploring Drawing – so it’ll be a warm welcome through their Westgate Road doors whether you’re a complete beginner, or just want to improve your technique.
Blackfriars Cookery School, Friars Street
You might know Blackfriars for their delicious restaurant or incredible brewery – but did you know that the historic site also plays host to a Cookery School too? There’s classes to suit everyone’s schedule and tastebuds, with options ranging from Vietnamese and Mexican cookery, to chocolate and artisan bread making!
With all these options there’s no shortage of ways to improve your mind and body in 2025. Create the new you this New Year, in Newcastle!
Main image: 2024 by Viridiana Rivera via Pexels / Free to use under the Pexels License
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