Richard Grainger Memorial Fountain

Richard Grainger is perhaps best known for his partnership with the Architect John Dobson, which saw them design and build much of Newcastle city centre. Between the years of 1824 and 1826 Grainger built the majority of Blackett Street and Eldon Square (as it was rather than the shopping centre we know today), in 1829 they built Leazes Terrace and Crescent and then in 1832 they built the Royal Arcade on Pilgrim Street. Sadly the latter was demolished in 1963 to make way for the Central Motorway and Swan House roundabout, a fine exchange I think you will agree?

It was in 1839 that they completed their masterpiece and by far most ambitious project together. Covering a total of 49,000m2, 12 acres in old money, the three new thoroughfares of Grey Street, Grainger Street and Clayton Street along with numerous side streets and links, and the Central Exchange and Grainger Market (if you build it you have every right to have a few parts named after yourself!) can safely be called some of the best streets in the UK if not the world. The area was actually only called “Grainger Town” in 1991 after Newcastle City Council and the Grainger Town partnership got together to co-ordinate the areas regeneration.

In celebration of Grainger, a pink and grey granite horse trough and drinking fountain was constructed by Elswick Court Marble Works Co. Newcastle on Neville Street and was paid for by their Daughter. The fountain is no longer working but is Grade II* listed and its official list entry states that it comprises a “Plinth, corner shafts and cornice with semi-circular pediments; dome and finial. Semi-circular basin on rear; rectangular trough in front”. It was moved from Neville Street to its present site on Waterloo Street in the 1950s.

The inscription on the fountain reads;

“Erected in memory of Richard and Rachel Grainger by their Daughter Rachel Elizabeth Burns according to instructions contained in her will 1892”.

While the fountain is ornate and a lovely memorial in itself, his buildings are probably a greater celebration of his contribution to Newcastle Upon Tyne.