Member Article

Positive progress for new Gateshead conference centre

The North East’s reputation as a major conference venue is set to receive a boost, after the announcement of funding progress on a £30 million construction project.

The conference, exhibition and events centre which will be built adjoining The Sage Gateshead, and will help to increase the region’s conference economy.

Arts Council England have shown significant support for the project, and have handed Gateshead Council a vital ‘stage one’ pass, which means that the project will now undergo a detailed study, and could lead to support of £10 million towards the project.

It is anticipated that the venue could transform the region’s business tourist economy, and estimates indicate that over 75 additional conferences a year could be attracted to the region as a result of the new facility.

Gateshead Council’s Chief Executive Designate, Jane Robinson, said: “Our ambitions to move the hugely successful regeneration of Gateshead Quays further forward are well known. This facility will be the keystone of the next big leap forward in our visitor economy.

“Gateshead’s reputation for arts and culture continues to grow and this is further evidence of how that success can reap major economic rewards for our region.

“With this venue will come hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds of investment into our local economy.

“The significance of this announcement cannot be overestimated – this will open up a huge array of opportunities.”

The new building will be build on the car park to the south of The Sage Gateshead, and is another in a string of recent successes for the Gateshead area.

Gateshead’s BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art recently hosted the Turner Prize and work has also begun on the £150m regeneration of central Gateshead, in partnership with Spenhill.

Regeneration work is also taking place in the centres of Felling, Birtley and Blaydon. The Sage Gateshead is now set to stage the prestigious final of BBC’s Young Musician competition in May.

Alison Clark-Jenkins, Regional Director, Arts Council England said, “The significance of the regeneration of NewcastleGateshead has been felt far beyond the region.

“If successful, this proposal will herald the next chapter of culture-led growth and increase the viability and resilience of The Sage Gateshead and enhance the cultural life on the Gateshead quayside.

“This investment would further support NewcastleGateshead as a destination for businesses and education and we look forward to working closely with partners to realise this.”

Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative added: “The regeneration of Gateshead Quays has helped position the destination as a forward-thinking, ambitious place and despite the ongoing challenging economic environment, there is still a real determined commitment to push forward the development of this major facility.”

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