The Centurion

The pretty bar situated in Newcastle Central Station has one of the most Bizarre histories. It was founded in 1893 as a sumptuous waiting lounge for 1st class passengers, a major feature being its exquisite tiling which is today worth an astonishing J3. 8 million. The lounge and its bar closed in 1960's, when the British Transport Police began using it a cells. British Rail, which then owned it, cared very little for the buildings Grade 1 listed status, taken sledge hammers to several of the walls putting in external piping and painting the tiles a lurid red- a bit like The Louvre slapping a fresh coat of paint over The Monet Lisa.