Writing Centre project set for £2m sign-off
The significant investment will support ambitious plans for Centre for Writing in the North East
Plans to open a national Centre for Writing in Newcastle are set to take a major leap forward this week as North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and her cabinet prepare to approve £2 million in funding for the transformative project.
The new centre, a partnership between New Writing North, Northumbria University, Newcastle City Council, and the North East Combined Authority, aims to become a hub for creativity, publishing, and opportunity in the region.
The funding will support the purchase of a permanent home for the centre, helping to attract national publishing businesses and provide a platform for a new generation of northern writers.
Backers say the centre will create high-skilled jobs, stimulate economic growth, and position the North East as a serious player in the UK’s creative industries.
Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We have incredible creative talent in the North East, but for too long they have had to travel out of the region to seek opportunity and work.
“This groundbreaking project will establish the North East as a powerhouse for creative industries, providing our young people with world-class opportunities to develop their talents right here at home.
“The benefits and impact of this new centre are going to be far reaching – from upskilling the next generation of writers, publishers and creative professionals, to creating high-skilled jobs right across the creative industry.”
The Centre for Writing will be the first of its kind in the UK to bring together partners from the arts, academia, media and publishing sectors under one roof. It will support both emerging and established writers while delivering reading and writing initiatives in communities across the region.
Claire Malcolm, CEO of New Writing North, said: “Opening a Centre for Writing in Newcastle will be a huge opportunity for the North East to become a national hub for writing and publishing, an industry still dominated by London-based companies.
“The centre will build on all the work New Writing North have done with writers and communities over many years and our strong relationships with industry partners including global publisher Hachette UK. The power of this major project is in the partners we have working together to make a long-held dream a reality."
Councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, added: “Not only will a Centre for Writing help support talented residents in every corner of Newcastle, it will also provide a huge economic boost to the economy of our entire city region, creating jobs, growth and opportunity for all.”
Northumbria University, a founding partner, will embed students within the centre, offering real-world experience and industry connections.
Dan Monnery, Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs), said: “It is a huge opportunity to marry experiential learning, skills development and research in support of creative and economic success and we are delighted to see this game-changing project take another significant step forward.”
Hopes are high that the Centre will unlock new talent, strengthen collaboration across sectors, and inspire the next generation of creative professionals from the North East and beyond.