BANK OF ENGLAND IN RUINS

This rubble is all that is left of The Bank of England building in Newcastle.

In 1836 the The Bank was located in Grey Street. Then in 1971 when bigger premises were needed it moved into a new building on Pilgrim Street specifically designed for the Bank. It became one of Newcastle's most impressive and unique buildings.

The Bank closed their small network of UK branches in the 1990s and the Newcastle building proved impossible to let for alternative uses. It remained empty and demolition began in Autumn 2011. They seem to be nearly finished.

In its place a new seven-storey building designed to "put the city back on the business map" will be built. City leaders say they want a flagship building to reverse years of decline in what they believe should be Newcastle's central business district.

Hope it doesn't just become another empty office block.

You will guess that I have been to Newcastle today. Met Neil after his Job Centre appointment and we went to Pizza Express. He had meatball pizza and I had tuna salad nicoise.

The weather today has been sunny and warm-ish. A real treat after days of rain.