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Work begins on new £1.5m Gateshead tourist attraction

Work is now underway at Land of Oak & Iron’s flagship £1.5m Crowley’s Heritage Centre, at Winlaton Mill in Gateshead, which could bring more than £500,000 into the local economy annually as a landmark tourist attraction.

The centre, which is expected to open in 2018, is part of the National Lottery funded Land of Oak & Iron project hosted by Groundwork NE & Cumbria, which explores and celebrates industrial, cultural and natural heritage of the Derwent Valley and surrounding area.

The centre will offer a range of exhibitions and interactive sessions, a café and gift shop, alongside a business incubator space, providing local people with long-term employment opportunities and offering an outlet for regional food producers and businesses.

In addition to investment from Groundwork and its partner Gateshead Council, much of the funds for the £1.5M building project came from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.

Further funding from the Rural Growth Network programme Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund (SEIF), and other smaller organisations has supported the project to reach its total.

Kate Culverhouse, Chief Executive at Groundwork NE & Cumbria said: “It is fantastic to finally break ground on at Crowley’s Heritage Centre. It has been a long time in the making, with many parties involved in supporting us to achieve our ambition of leaving a last legacy for the Land of Oak & Iron project.

“The industrial heritage of the North East is an important part of our story. We transformed the UK into an industrial powerhouse, helping to manufacture the components that kept Britain’s wheels turning throughout the industrial revolution.

“In this latest incarnation that same industry will again benefit local people; bringing money in to the area, promoting the wider region and, perhaps most importantly, creating valuable jobs.

“I can’t thank our partners and local people enough for helping this dream to come true. The final design is amazing and I can’t wait to open the doors later next year.”

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