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Creative business gets new hub

Twelve creative businesses are being given rent-free workspace as part of a new project to support small enterprises in difficult economic times.

Gateshead Council has just chosen the winners of a new project designed to help small creative businesses get off the ground.

The ‘starter for ten’ scheme has been developed by the council and design guru Wayne Hemingway, who hope to transform a redundant building in the town centre into a creative cluster.

The project will offer business premises at little or no cost to act as a catalyst for growth in the local creative sector.

The winners include a visual artist, a graphic designer, an architect and an award-winning filmmaker.

Buildings on High Street South have been earmarked for demolition in the long-term, but instead of standing dormant until then firms will be able to use them as a temporary base.

Cllr Mick Henry, the Leader of Gateshead Council said: “This innovative new scheme is part of the overall plan to reinvigorate the centre of Gateshead. I’m delighted that Wayne Hemingway, who is a long-time friend of Gateshead, has come up with such an interesting and challenging scheme for the area.”

Wayne Hemingway said: “This is about giving the creative community a helping hand and putting empty units to good use. It has the potential to attract leaders and entrepreneurs to Gateshead and give the local economy a boost.

“Places that used to provide low cost opportunities for independent start ups in prime positions are disappearing as our towns and cities contribute to the worrying “Clone Town Britain” label. At a time when overseas competition is addressing this issue Britain should start to also address it to retain its creative edge.”

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