The North East mayoral authority has outlined plans to create 10,000 jobs in the region’s cultural and sporting industries. The move builds on recent growth in the sectors, which has been among the fastest in the UK.
A new 10-year strategy sets out hopes to bring top events to the region following the success of hosting the Mercury music prize in Newcastle and plans for five games in the Euros football tournament in the city in 2028.
Strategy aims to boost economy and opportunities
The strategy aims to leverage the region’s heritage, cultural institutions and sports brands to boost the economy and provide more opportunities for talented young people. It comes after proposals for a film studio in Sunderland took a step forward last month, alongside plans for a nationally-recognised writing centre in Newcastle.
The report highlights how careers in the creative industries can often be precarious and deter people from poorer backgrounds. North East mayor Kim McGuinness said she wants to make it easier for talented young people to pursue careers in the arts without having to leave their home communities.
Report says region 'not yet realising its full potential'
The report says the North East “is not yet realising its full potential” in the creative and sporting industries, with productivity remaining below the UK average. It says regional support for the sectors is needed if they are to make the economic impact hoped for.
As well as creating 10,000 new jobs, the strategy aims to support more than 8,000 businesses or freelancers, see the region host more than 900 cultural and sporting events and welcome more than 10m attendees to those events. It wants the North East to be recognised as “one of Europe’s leading regions for culture, creativity, heritage and sport” by 2036.
Six focus areas and investment
The strategy is based around six areas: music; film and TV; events; sport and physical activity; writing and publishing; and heritage.
Ms McGuinness said: “For too long, talented people have had to look to the capital for good careers, and we’re changing that, creating opportunities for local people, here in the region.
“We’re already backing our creative sector, from funding new training opportunities and supporting venues to building film studios in Sunderland. This is about creating more opportunities for young people, more support for talent, more events, more visitors, and more reasons to be proud of where we live.”
Coun Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council and North East cabinet member for the economy, added: “The North East is full of talent, it’s full of wonderful institutions from big museums to small grassroots venues, all places where creativity, culture and leisure flourish.
“This is bringing together everything that’s already great about our region, and empowering the next great ideas. But it isn’t just a framework, £104m investment is already making a difference to people’s lives, from bringing new events into communities, to starting careers, and creating new opportunities for all.”
