Berwick buildings to get new life as creative spaces
A £510k scheme aims to boost arts and culture projects by bringing empty premises back into use. Tony Henderson reports
New funding will underpin plans to revive empty or unused buildings to increase a town’s range of cultural and creative activities.
Cultural regeneration programme Create Berwick and Northumberland County Council has launched the £510,000 fund to support new workspace projects in Berwick.
The initiative combines £300,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with £210,000 of existing funding from the North East Combined Authority (NECA).
Create Berwick is seeking proposals that enable creative sole traders and businesses to build, make and produce artwork for sale, and exhibit their work to current and new audiences.
Andrea Oliver, Create Berwick manager, said: “Whilst Berwick already has some fantastic spaces that support the growth of cultural and creative sectors, including The Maltings and The Straw Yard at Berwick Barracks, we want to bring some of the town’s unused buildings back into use so they can become new and exciting places .
“Not only will this deliver direct economic benefits across Berwick, it will also encourage tourism to the area and help attract further investment as we improve the built environment across the town.
“We want these new creative spaces to shine a light on Berwick’s amazing creative and cultural sectors. By increasingly the visibility of the town’s creative community, we can encourage more people to get involved in arts and culture, and create new opportunities for people to start creative businesses.”
Create Berwick is one of three Culture and Creative Zones (CCZs) in the North East Combined Authority area including Newcastle and North Shields.
Designated areas set up to support people and grow businesses working in the cultural and creative industries, CCZs aim to provide a supportive and attractive environment for businesses.
Projects applying for funding must be able to start delivery as early as possible after June. Phase one project delivery and spend of up to £300,000 must be completed by December 31 this year with phase two project delivery and spend of up to £210,000 completed by December 31, 2026.
Details and information on how to apply can be found at www.northumberland.gov.uk. All submissions must be received by Friday May 30.