Injecting new life into Gateshead

Northumbria University has played a key role in one of the biggest regeneration schemes in the country, thanks to its partnership with Gateshead Council.

The University and the Council work together on a number of projects to drive the economic and cultural regeneration of Gateshead.

Supporting enterprise and innovation, the projects are providing opportunities for both individuals and businesses.

Northumbria has increased the levels of support given to businesses in Gateshead and has encouraged a number of graduate start-up companies to base themselves in the borough.

The new accommodation forms part of the £150 million Trinity Square – the biggest regeneration project seen in the North East in recent years.

Developed by Tesco’s regeneration arm, Spenhill, Trinity Square features a Tesco Extra superstore, a wide range of retail outlets and a multiscreen cinema, as well as new accommodation for almost 1,000 Northumbria students.

dozens of businesses set up by graduates in Gateshead how their innovations can help the borough.

“The real tangible benefits will be felt by local businesses, voluntary and community groups, bars, restaurants and attractions. But think the whole feel of the area will change for the better with the vitality and excitement that students will bring.”

Jim said: “There was so much interaction between the two organisations, and so many developments in the pipeline with Live Theatre’s expansion plans, that it felt like a good time to formulate a more strategic relationship to fully enhance the work of both parties.”

And it was Live Theatre’s £10m expansion plan, a project entitled LiveWorks that is set to create new community, education and creative business spaces that generated opportunities for the partnership to extend beyond Performing Arts.

Jim continued: “We worked with Northumbria to create a live project for architecture students, based around our LiveWorks plan. We worked closely with six students to explore what we were hoping to achieve, and the students opened our eyes to new possibilities and the way in which we could use the space. Their ideas informed our approach to the project and our subsequent brief to the architecture consultancy.”

Partnerships bring with them projects such as this which allow students to work to briefs and develop their professional experience, while at the same time sharing their talent with the organisation involved. In fact, elements from all six student architecture projects have been incorporated into LiveWorks

Another area of expertise that is currently connecting with Live Theatre is health, with academics joining Live’s post-show discussions on themes explored in plays or short films, such as dementia and addiction. The business school is also developing work in partnership with Live to benefit SMEs and start-up companies.

Jim said: “Our two organisations are now working together at all levels and, with so many creative discussions taking place at the moment, am confident we will be announcing even more initiatives in the coming months that will continue to benefit staff and students, while making a real difference to the region’s world-renowned cultural landscape.”

Live Theatre’s multi-award winning production, Wet House a hardhitting look at homelessness and addiction, is a prime example of an integrated approach to partnership working.

The production itself was written by Northumbria Fine Art graduate, Paddy Campbell, who won the coveted Writer of the Year award at this year’s Journal Culture Awards Wet House also won Performance of the Year for its cast which included Northumbria Performance graduate, Riley Jones, and Performing Artist of the Year for cast member Joe Caffrey). With so much Northumbria talent on show, current Performing Arts students visited the show and met with the creative team and cast to learn more about the process.

Health academic, Tony Machin, was also invited in to rehearsal to share his expertise around the issues of addiction that the cast were dealing with as part of their performance.

Director, Max Roberts said: “It was invaluable sharing the rehearsal room with Tony. His knowledge in the fields of mental health and addiction gave the cast access to expert advice relating to their character’s actions and responses. During any rehearsal process it is important to provide the creative team with opportunities to further explore themes raised within the script, and our partnership with Northumbria University allows us to access an extremely diverse range of expertise.”

The University is also working more closely with schools in Gateshead to encourage pupils to consider higher education while student volunteers are working with carers, vulnerable people and supporting social and cultural events in the borough. However, the biggest – and by far the most visible – project has been Northumbria’s role in the transformation of Gateshead’s town centre with the development of exciting new student accommodation boasting stunning views across the Tyneside skyline.

With easy access to the Quayside’s array of bars, restaurants and cultural venues, Trinity Square is set to become a vibrant centre for student life and will bring a buzzing new community to the heart of Gateshead town centre.

Mick Henry, the Leader of Gateshead Council, outlined the benefits that students are set to bring to Gateshead.

“Students bring with them creativity and inspiration,” he said. “Having almost 1,000 talented students living in the heart of Gateshead will inject something new into the area. We already know from working with

Professor Andrew Wathey, ViceChancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, added: “We are investing in quality accommodation for the benefit of our students, but also bridging the river to extend our reach across the NewcastleGateshead area, and embed university life and activity close to the internationally visible cultural attractions on Gateshead Quays.

“This is a very exciting project for the University. Partnership working of this kind marks the contribution a university can make to the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of an area.”