Abstract

This paper examines the North-East's regional identity and places it in the context of Asian immigrant experiences in Newcastle upon Tyne during the 1980s. It begins by providing an account of north-eastern regionalism and details how it has been claimed that this regional patriotism has historically propelled the region into being a welcoming host to foreigners. This paper goes on to challenge that notion by examining the performance of Newcastle's Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in the employment, housing and education sectors during the 1980s. It is argued that Newcastle, like other north-eastern cities and towns, has not been any type of exception as it did not deviate from general trends, but rather succumbed to national mandate like other British cities. Not only did Newcastle's Asian immigrants have experiences and confront problems similar to those in other cities, but also the local authority either contemplated or implemented measures and policies that demonstrated a conformity to national measures.