Member Article

Study to boost Tyneside creative numbers

A new study has been launched in a bid to boost the number of ‘creative and cultural’ people living in Newcastle and Gateshead. Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG) has teamed up with the Arts Council, One NorthEast and Newcastle and Gateshead Councils to find what can be done to attract more cultural and creative people to the area.

BNG has launched a questionnaire in support of its mission which invites people currently working in creative or cultural industries on Tyneside to share their views. The results from this questionnaire and other research will then be used to identify factors which act as pull for the creative and cultural sectors.

Findings so far show that there are ‘creative hotspots’ for business and people including areas of Bensham and Saltwell in Gateshead and Byker, Ouseburn and Arthur’s Hill in Newcastle.

Karen Anderson, head of research and strategy at Bridging NewcastleGateshead, said: “Through this study we want to support this trend and identify the factors that make a neighbourhood attractive to the creative sector. “By ensuring that we have the right housing in place to meet the needs and aspirations of creative people and businesses, we can hopefully continue to attract these people and companies to the area and create a place in which they can thrive.”

The results of the full study are expected to be available later in the year. To take part in the study, visit www.newcastlegatesheadculturalstudy.co.uk. For more information contact Bridging NewcastleGateshead on (0191) 277 2666 or visit www.bridgingng.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .