[3] The collections and displays grew for another forty years, until the temporary pavilion could no longer meet the museum's needs.

In 1978, the museum was re-located to Blandford House, the former Co-operative Wholesale Society Headquarters for the Northern Region.

[4] Designed by Oliver, Leeson & Wood in 1899, the building had been the distribution centre for over 100 Co-op stores across the region, and contained extensive warehouse space and offices.

[2] In 2004 the £13 million redevelopment of the museum was complete[2] and the following year the venue attracted 450,000 visitors.

[9] It also features examples of Joseph Swan's early lightbulbs which were invented on Tyneside.