Create Berwick - the culture-led regeneration programme funded by the North East Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council, is dedicated to making Berwick one of the most distinctive, must-see cultural destinations in the country. By investing in the arts, creativity and culture - and working with partners across the town, Create Berwick (a designated Culture and Creative Zone (CCZ)), is committed to grow the economy and population sustainably by building on the town’s established cultural and creative strengths, while at the same time working to increase vibrancy and activity in Berwick town centre.
With a remit to enable Berwick’s people, communities, and businesses to share in the benefits of culture-led growth through access to better skills, jobs, and cultural activities - a new £510,000 funding boost for the CCZ (there are three across the North East Combined Authority area) to support new workspace capital development projects in the town has just been launched.
Combining £300,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) with £210,000 of existing Culture and Creative Zone capital funding from the North East Combined Authority, the creative workspace fund aims to breathe new life into empty or unused buildings in Berwick upon Tweed; expanding the range of cultural and creative activities in town, including: craft, sculpture, fine art, and multi-disciplinary practice.
Applications opened yesterday (12 May) and Create Berwick is seeking proposals that enable creative sole traders and businesses in the town to build, make and produce artwork for sale; exhibit their works to current and new audiences; and distribute their creative practice across Berwick and beyond.
Andrea Oliver, Create Berwick Manager, said: “Whilst Berwick already has some fantastic spaces that support the growth of cultural and creative sectors, including The Maltings and The Straw Yard at Berwick Barracks, we want to bring some of the town’s unused buildings back into use so they can become new and exciting places where people working in the creative industries can build new audiences and reach new customers.
“Not only will this deliver direct economic benefits across Berwick, it will also encourage tourism to the area and help attract further investment as we improve the built environment across the town.”
Projects applying for funding must be able to start delivery as early as possible after June 2025. Phase one project delivery and spend of up to £300k must be completed by 31st December 2025, with phase 2 project delivery and spend of up to £210k completed by 31st December 2026.
Full details and information on how to apply can be found at www.northumberland.gov.uk. All submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 30 May 2025.
Andrea continued: “We want these new creative spaces to shine a light on Berwick’s amazing creative and cultural sectors. By increasingly the visibility of the town’s creative community, we can encourage more people to get involved in arts and culture, and create new opportunities for people to start creative businesses.”
Over the next two years, Create Berwick will continue to regenerate Berwick-upon-Tweed through cultural investment and innovation. Its work includes providing affordable workspace for creative people and businesses, skills development, business support and financial incentives, community and audience engagement, and raising the profile of Berwick as a destination for arts, culture, and creativity.
Header Image: The Straw Yard. Create Berwick and Northumberland County Council has launched a new £510,000 fund to support new workspace capital development projects in Berwick upon Tweed.
