North Shields cultural quarter bringing artists back to region

It is hoped a new cultural quarter will boost a town's economic future through arts and events.

The North Shields Cultural Quarter officially opened on Wednesday, following a £1.9m regeneration plan.

It is mainly based in Howard Street and Saville Street, including the Exchange 1856 theatre and Globe Gallery.

Over the next five years, North Tyneside Council will work with local artists and creative businesses to fund a programme of projects and events.

North Shields-based musician and artist Geoff Kirkwood said: "I left the region because I felt like I needed to for the sake of my music career.

"A decade later and I've come back to a very different place."

Mr Kirkwood took over a three-storey Victorian building in North Shields, OneThreeOneSpace, to create studios and workspaces for creatives and artists.

He said: "There really does seem to be a shared purpose now and I'm really excited that we get to play our part in that."

The project is part funded by the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the North of Tyne Combined Authority Investment Fund.

North of Tyne's elected mayor Jamie Driscoll, Independent, said: "We want year-round jobs in culture and tourism, organising festivals and staging events that don't depend on summer weather.

"That means more visitors and more secondary jobs; everything from shops and restaurants to joiners and accountants."

Organisations like the North Tyneside Business Centre, Globe Gallery, Pinwheel and Helix Arts are all located or relocating to the Cultural Quarter.

Helix Arts director Cheryl Gavin added: "It has brought these really cool people to do cool stuff together.

"There's just that chance now, that opportunity."

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