Member Article

Brims Construction begin work on Live Theatre’s £10 million Quayside development project

Work has begun on a key £10 million development which will help complete one of Tyneside’s most iconic views.

In February this year Newcastle’s Live Theatre’s purchased Quayside land and buildings to create LiveWorks - a development of commercial office space, a public park and a children and young people’s writing centre.

The £10 million project, which is being supported the North East European Regional Development Fund, and loans from Newcastle City Council and North East Local Enterprise Partnership, was given planning permission in June.

Now Live Theatre’s appointed contractor, Sunderland-based Brims Construction has started work on the development, which fills a key gap on the Newcastle side next to the listed Custom House.

LiveWorks was designed by Architects Flanagan Lawrence, whose lead architect Jason Flanagan worked on the iconic Sage Gateshead building.

The purchase of the land and buildings and the development of the site has been supported by a £2.5 million grant from the North East European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2007 to 2013 and a preferential loan of £6 million from Newcastle City Council.

Fundraising is continuing with grants from The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, the Gillian Dickinson Trust, The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the Monument Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Sir James Knott Trust, the Social Investment Business and the Wolfson Foundation already secured. The project has also secured a loan facility of up to £2 million from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Chief Executive of Live Theatre Jim Beirne, said: “We are delighted to be working with Brims Construction again. On LiveWorks they have already proved themselves to be a creative team that pays attention to detail.

“The development will create new commercial offices, a public park and writing centre for young people.

“Once complete LiveWorks will provide many future opportunities for businesses, artists, children and young people.

“The project will also help to secure an income for the core work of Live Theatre into the future.”

Director at Brims Construction, Richard Wood, said: “Having worked on another prominent Quayside building conversion at Nepia House for North of England P&I a couple of years ago, we are delighted that we have the opportunity to be part of the LiveWorks project that sees the one of the most important remaining sites on Newcastle’s Quayside, being developed into what will be a landmark building.

“The site really is the final piece in the Quayside jigsaw; its development is long overdue. The vision and hard work of the Live Theatre team should be commended in making this project finally happen.

“It is a pleasure to be working with the Live Theatre team once more following last year’s successful conversion of the historic Schoolhouse building, where Lord Collingwood was once a pupil, into a creative business hub.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →