'Superpower' publishing hub plans get funding lift

Plans to create a city creative centre of excellence have received a multi-million-pound boost.

The proposed Newcastle Centre for Writing and Publishing has been backed by Northumbria University and North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

Officials say the commitments push total funding for the venture to £10.5 million after previous Government and Newcastle City Council support.

Planned to launch in 2029, they add the endeavour – earmarked for the grade II-listed Old Post Office building opposite Newcastle Cathedral – will “bring writers, publishers, academics, students, the creative industries and the wider public under one roof”.

It will also act as a home for founding partner Northumbria University’s English, creative writing and publishing undergraduate and master’s courses, with space set aside for start-up, commercial and charitable publishers, an audiobook production studio, television and film producers, a café, bookshop and events.

Professor Andy Long, vice-chancellor and chief executive at Northumbria University, which is working with charity New Writing North on the venture, said it will “open doors for careers in the publishing industry and beyond”.

He added: “The creative industries are one of the eight priority sectors in the Government's Industrial Strategy – and the Centre for Writing and Publishing puts Northumbria University and the North East at the heart of that national ambition.

“This is a key element of our social mobility mission to create opportunities for all.”

Mayor McGuinness, who is set to put forward £2 million funding for the development, said: “With this investment, we will take a step closer to securing a home for the centre and providing opportunities for the next generation of writers, publishers and creatives.”

Claire Malcolm, New Writing North founder and chief executive, said: “Writing underpins not just publishing but film, television, audio, gaming, music, theatre, news and media.

“The centre will enable great writing to happen in Newcastle.”

Councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, added: “The centre will make Newcastle a superpower city for writing and publishing.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.