Twin town revival – from an industrial past to creative future

Jun 12 2007 By The Journal

Crossing the River Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle never fails to etch an image on the memory, with the iconic bridges grandly spanning the divide as fond reminders of the river's industrial heritage.

And yet the transformation of the Quayside area over the last 15 years has given visitors and locals alike a new focus for creative activity and modern ideas.

The regeneration of Gateshead Quays has breathed new life into a derelict river bank and has ensured that the Millennium Bridge, The Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art are every bit as eye-catching as the bridges which stand beside them.

Since 2000, millions of pounds of investment has cemented Gateshead's place as a centre for North East regeneration and a home to a range of cultural, artistic and commercial developments. It has also helped to create hundreds of local jobs and boost tourism.

The Sage opened in December 2004 thanks in part to £5.7m of European Regional Development Fund cash.

Built, owned and delivered by Gateshead Council, it was the 2004 winner of the Robert Stephenson Award for concept and design and provides world-class facilities for acoustic music.

It is seven buildings in one, designed from the inside out and then clothed by a spectacular curved roof. The glass fronted public concourse and foyer links all the areas and offers spectacular views across the Tyne.

The music centre had already received £1.6m of European programme money towards site works and is now a major tourism and cultural attraction, increasing revenue and visitors to the region.

Gateshead is now at the cutting edge of contemporary arts, with access to both The Sage and the Baltic opened up from the Newcastle bank by the magnificent Millennium Bridge.

The latter two projects also received financial backing from the last round of European funding.

The river bank has rapidly become a popular residential area, with luxury riverside apartments complementing the developments.

And more European money has been pouring into local business support through the Gateshead International Business Centre.

The project, which secured £768,000 from ERDF to provide 51 units for SMEs under three years old, has created 80 new jobs.

PICTURE CAPTION: The Sage Gateshead