Newcastle creative community meetup

Hard on the heels of Hoults Yard forming its own group to foster collaboration between the 40-plus creative businesses based at the yard… here comes an event by Newcastle City Council to discuss, analyse and research the needs of the creative community. Expect more scoping and diagnosis – and a free lunch:                                        

‘Supporting Growth in the Cultural and Creative Business Sector’ – debate

27 February 1 to 3pm

Toffee Factory, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle

We would like to invite you to a debate and presentation session that looks at new research into the cultural and creative business sector, and discusses what this means and how we can support the sector to grow.

Held at the Toffee Factory, just near Hoults Yard, on 27 February from 1.30 – 3pm the session will include a presentation by consultants EKOS about the recently commissioned research that included consultation carried out in October/November last year.

The research has examined the sector in NewcastleandGatesheadand identifies strengths, opportunities for growth, barriers and gaps in support, and has set out some recommendations as to how Local Authorities and other agencies can best support local businesses in the future.

Following the presentation there will be a discussion on how best to take forward any recommendations as well as providing the opportunity to get your views on how we can all work together to move the creative sector forward. 

There is also a pre session buffet available from 1pm.

If you would like to attend please register with Nancy Rios-Hill on: nancy.rios.hill@newcastle.gov.uk or 0191 277 8909.

Due to limited places we would please ask that you register in advance of the event if you would like to attend.

We very much hope to see you there.

Rob Hamilton, Head of Economic Policy, NewcastleCity Council

Supported by the Creative Cities Challenge – a transnational project which aims to support businesses in the cultural and creative sector in North Sea Regions. For more information visit www.creative-city-challenge.net

Former pottery extends its Teapot Studios with seven new offices

 

Teapot studios - stylish offices

Famous Tyneside pottery extends its Teapot Studios with seven more studios

Hoults Yard sees strong demand from creative and entrepreneurial business

Byker, Aug 11 – Hoults launched Teapot Studios in 2010 as two-man starter offices on easy-in-easy-out as part of Hoults Yard’s extensive offering of spaces from 2-man to 10,000 sq ft. The first phase let quickly to clients including Point Pleasant PR, Harrow Consulting, Zion Solutions and Funky Hand. Phase Two is now underway with 2,000 sq ft of space available in September including two-man, four-man and six-man offices. There is already strong interest in the seven new offices and Hoults are offering generous rent-free incentives to qualifying pre-let clients.

Last year, Hoults invested over £1m in some 15,000 sq ft of new developments which are now fully let and continues to invest in 2011 to renovate new spaces for clients – at the iconic Hoults Yard site, which once operated as Malings Pottery.

Teapot Studios follows a funky design from +3 Architecture, led by Simon Dunstan and Matthew Margetts, who also teaches architecture at Newcastle University. The studios use the generous ‘loft’ proportions of the former Malings pottery with large windows providing natural light, high ceilings and bare brickwork. The corridors offer informal meeting spaces and one wall includes panelling salvaged from teachests used in the past by Hoults Removals.

Hoults Yard has developed over recent years as a business village with strong ties to the region’s creative and media industry, which has seen growth in nearby Ouseburn. New initiatives include a creative and cultural programme that has seen artists and musicians from around the world paint or perform to a growing number of visitors, whether for Tyne & Wear Lateshows, Shindig music nights or Unit44’s street art mural series. The yard’s ClockTower Cafe has also hosted homeless charity Streetwise Opera, events by Entrepreneur’s Forum and Eat Festival.

Charlie Hoult, managing director, says: ‘We work hard to champion the creative and digital sector from our base in Newcastle, linking clients locally and internationally. The yard is testament to the energy you can create in a business hub which spawns growth, collaboration and shared ambition. It has taken years of hard graft to get to this position, but we continue to invest in our region to keep that momentum.’

He adds: ‘It’s great to see the dynamism of entrepreneurs in Newcastle. We still have capacity to develop the yard – and often work on tailored office suites to support our customers. There is still space here to develop and we love bouncing ideas with entrepreneurs, whether for a film project or a fashion show.’

Simon Dunstan, managing director of +3, says: ‘As a growing small business ourselves we understand the needs of a start-up and are delighted that we are building on the success of Teapot Studios. Hoults Yard has given us the opportunity to experiment and explore a range of architectural strategies and the recent lettings would suggest that a blend of good design and hands-on management are just what the market is looking for.’ 

Contact details

 Julie Kemp 0191 265 4282 – julie@houltsyard.co.uk

Teapot studios – launch photos

We now have some decent photos of the first phase of Teapot Studios.

These are two-man offices with great views, some fine architectural styling and a nifty price tag of £300 per month all-in.

Sample studio - not looking so big with six-foot Sam in cold weather gear!

Light, bright corridor to give a communal feel

All the usual Hoults Yard things included: 24hour security, onsite maintenance, dedicated management team, cluster of start-up and media firms, regular events, interesting caff, parking, picture framer, curtain maker, lots of photographers, web designers, games developers, artists, creatives… public transport via the Q2 bus or a 15 min walk to Byker Metro… short walk to Quayside and Ouseburn so Hotel du Vin, Free Trade pub, Cumberland Arms pub, The Cluny venue etc…

Check out the architect’s photos too – click here.