Doing business
It might not have a radically different rulebook to anywhere else in the UK but there’s a definite entrepreneurial feel to Newcastle these days. Business is largely buoyant and bold, forward-thinking ideas are generally well received. The centre of town is unsurprisingly the hub of affairs, making hotels like the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead and the slightly funkier Malmaison Newcastle, both on the banks of the Tyne, popular spots for meetings. On a side-note, the convention bureau is working with local charity Carbon Neutral North East to make business events as green as possible.

Hip restaurant
The Secco Ristorante Salentino is a three-storey venue on centrally located Pilgrim Street, and very much the 'plat du jour' for Geordie foodies. It was awarded a Hardens Remy Award for Best New Opening when it was unveiled in 2005, and has since consolidated its reputation for simple Italian food done well, using seasonal produce and a dash of Roman flair. It can be hired for private functions for up to 220 and also boasts an open pizza kitchen, a terrace and an all-day bar, with free wifi also on offer.

Happening bar
This is a city with no shortage of lively drinking holes, but two of the most notable are As You Like It and Apartment. The former is full of quirky selling points, from monk-brewed organic beer to regular cabaret nights, and also doubles as a gastro-pub. Apartment, meanwhile, is one for the hip crowd, with leather chairs, soft sofas, a cocktail lounge and Manhattan theming. It prides itself on being flexible enough to offer the experience of the customer’s choosing, whether that’s a quiet tipple or a full-blown knees-up. 

Must-see sight
If you’re arriving by car from the south, there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by Antony Gormley’s iconic Angel of the North – it’s well worth parking up to properly take it in. In town itself the river view is not one to miss, but there’s really only one way to get to the soul of the city, and that’s by witnessing the black and white hordes of the Toon Army in full voice at St James’ Park. It’s bandied around by lots of destinations that football’s the local religion – in Newcastle, it’s true. 

Getting downtown
Newcastle has a comprehensive public transport network. The Tyne & Wear Metro connects the airport, rail station and suburbs, with a journey from the airport into town taking around 20 minutes. There’s a regular bus service (some of them now electric) and taxis are also easy to come by. A compact city centre means that walking is a viable option too.

Getting there
Train services from London run approximately every 30 minutes, going via Doncaster and Peterborough, with a journey time of around three hours. It's 90 minutes from Edinburgh and there are also rail connections from the likes of Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Oxford. By car, the city lies at the junction of the A1 and A69. There are scheduled flights to Newcastle International Airport from a large number of UK and European destinations.

The carbon cost
A return flight from London Heathrow to Newcastle will cover 812 kilometres and emit 0.1 tonnes of CO2. Offset this with the CarbonNeutral Company for £1.40.Diane Green, Business and Events, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative

INSIDER’S TIP
“Every city has its coffee shops and, like everywhere else, we have our fair share of the usual suspects. But the place that discerning locals head to for their  caffeine fix is Blakes Coffee House on Grey Street. It’s become a bit of an institution without being too crowded. It's very popular for that pre-meeting kick!”  

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