Newcastle to get national writing centre after Government pledges £5m support

A plan to set up a nationally important centre for writing in a landmark Newcastle building has secured the Government support needed to make it a reality.

A £5m package for the charity New Writing North means that it intends to convert Bolbec Hall in Newcastle city centre into a hub that will develop the next generation of Northern writers and become a focal point for the publishing industry in the North.

The funding - along with a similar amount for a “world class” facility for glass making in Sunderland - will be announced at a summit for the creative industries in Gateshead today where Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will hail the potential of artistic businesses to help grow the UK economy and create jobs in regions like the North East.

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Ms Nandy will also announce funding for the North East mayoral authority and five other regions to help develop each area’s cultural sectors, as well as financial backing for hundreds of small cultural businesses.

The funding announcements come at a time of significant activity for the region’s cultural industries, with plans progressing for the massive Crown Works film and TV studios in Sunderland and entertainment giant Warner Brothers planning to create a new music studio complex in Newcastle.

The writing centre has developed by New Writing North with backing from Northumbria University, North East mayor Kim McGuinness and publishers including Hachette UK, Faber & Faber, and Simon & Schuster.

Claire Malcolm, CEO of New Writing North, said: “We are thrilled and excited that central government has chosen to support our vision for a centre for writing by investing in our region’s cultural economy and infrastructure. Creative writing is the backbone of the UK’s world-leading creative industries which employ 2.4m. It also plays a vital role in wellbeing and public health.

“The centre for writing will provide an opportunity to expand our work with communities in the region and to work with even more brilliant Northern talent. It will also bring writers and readers together in a space which celebrates the power of storytelling.”

Hundreds of businesses and artists from around the UK will come together in Gateshead today for an event that aims to help the creative industries unlock their economic potential and help boost the UK’s ‘soft power’ on the global stage. Representatives from Netflix, Spotify, Warner Bros., the National Theatre and British Museum will be at the event at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music.

Ms Nandy, a former Newcastle University student, said: “From film and fashion to music and advertising, our creative industries are truly world-class and play a critical role in helping us deliver on this Government’s mission to drive economic growth in all parts of the UK. Our £60m funding boost will support creative and cultural organisations across the UK to turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses and spreading opportunity across the country.

“But this is by no means the limit of our ambitions, which is why the creative industries are at the heart of the forthcoming Industrial Strategy and will continue to play a key part in this Government’s Plan for Change.”

She was backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who said: “Our number one mission is to grow the economy and our creative industries are a British success story with a big part to play. Building on our plans to boost our AI sector, this is another step as we go further and faster to deliver growth so we can put more money in people’s pockets.”

Abigail Pogson, chief executive officer at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, said: “Supporting the creative industries is key to driving long-term growth and creating jobs in every region. What’s happened here in Gateshead – transforming a former industrial area into a thriving cultural hub - demonstrates that investment in creativity delivers real economic and social impact.

“It’s particularly significant to host a summit like this in Gateshead as The Glasshouse turns 20 and renews its commitment to the region and its next generation. It’s a statement of intent that the creative economy is a whole nation of opportunity.”