Must say Gateshead is one of the best interchanges in the North East (other than Middlesbrough) imo. Lot's of space, no obstructions mainly etc. It sounds like an issue with driver changeovers rather than the design more than anything.

Now Haymarket, Eldon Square and Durham are bad bus stations, tight, no layover space and generally depressing inside if it's Haymarket with numerous obstructions including Eldon Square obstructing Haymarket.