Member Article

New portal for North East culture

The North East’s cultural sector is hoping to receive a boost this winter with the launch of a new website. www.thenortheast.com brings the online shops from the region’s museums, libraries and archives together in one place. While it is being promoted as a place to find an unusual gift for Christmas, the creators hope that the website will be also help to raise interest in local history and heritage.

Neil Bowerbank, Head of eStrategy at MLA North East, said: “The funding for this website has come from the Regional Development Agency Single Program, European Regional Development Fund and MLA North East. The partners firmly believe the new website will successfully generate additional income for the North East and, hopefully, convince its users that the North East is the place to visit to enjoy our history, our museums, our libraries and our archives.

Lara Robinson, who has worked across the region with the museums, libraries and archives involved, said: “We have everything on sale, from membership of the prestigious Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne – the largest independent library outside London – through to teach yourself electronics for budding science enthusiasts. Local history is in huge demand.”

www.thenortheast.com is being promoted nationally on www.24hourmuseum.org.uk, www.wellinever.info and www.tomorrows-history.com as well as participating museums, libraries and archives in the region.

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