NewcastleGateshead shows off the best spaces that the area has to offer event profs.
Despite the challenges business events and cities around the world have faced over the last 18 months, 2021 has been a year of major investment for NewcastleGateshead, which is set to build on the existing strong business events offer in the area.
The green light has been given to future building schemes, including the transformation of the city centre’s old fire station on Pilgrim Street into a five-star hotel – the first five-star in the city. Additionally, the proposed plans for a boutique Moxy Hotel, by international developer Vastint Hospitality, were also approved in summer 2021.
The hotel will be the first Moxy Hotel in North East England and is located on the Newcastle Helix site – an innovation hub where people and businesses from across the globe connect, innovate, and come together. These new investments will not only act as a catalyst for business events in the city, but they will also offer a superb city[1]centre location and accommodation for a variety of event requirements.
Located on the famous Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside, INNSiDE by Melia Newcastle is one of the city’s latest hotel assets. Since opening in summer 2021, the hotel has already proven to be a successful venue for hosting many business events in a variety of spaces. The Keelman suite offers 200m2 of event space, which can be divided into three separate sections, catering for breakout sessions or smaller meetings. They also have a wonderfully innovative Big Ideas Space, which is ideal for unleashing creativity and working collaboratively.
The Catalyst, located on Newcastle Helix, has gained traction throughout 2021, and boasts the highest spec audio-visual technology ready to impress delegates. The Catalyst offers state of the art event and conference spaces including a 172-seat bespoke theatre, ideal for showcases, talks and large-scale corporate conferences. A particular eye catcher in the Catalyst is The Boardroom, which offers breath-taking panoramic views of the city centre.
The Common Room of the Great North – formerly The North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers, recently reopened after significant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This unique heritage venue embodies its engineering history in its innovative exhibitions, events, and activities.
The Common Room of the Great North was established in 2017 to manage the redevelopment and refurbishment of the former Mining Institute building following an award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund of £4.1million towards the initial project costs of £7.1million.
Further funding to reflect the project costs due to the pandemic have seen a grant increase of £950,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £440,000 from other sources. The revised project costs due to COVID-19 now stand at £8.9million, of which £1.2million is left to raise.
The fully accessible venue has space for 325 delegates across three floors and multiple rooms, including top of the range AV facilities and a superb catering offer. A variety of spaces are available, including the Edwardian Lecture Theatre with tiered seating and The Wood Hall, the largest of the spaces with striking stained-glass windows and a vast glass ceiling, the perfect setting for conferences, awards, presentations, and dining.
Rich in history and situated in the heart of the city is Newcastle Cathedral which has towered over the city since the 14th century and has now been given a new lease of life following a £4.2 million investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Redevelopment of its building, grounds, and amenities makes the cathedral one of the largest historic venues in the city, with the capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 guests in an array of flexible seating configurations.
In May 2019, Sage Gateshead was awarded National Lottery funding through Arts Council England and received philanthropic support to make vital improvements – the first major refurbishment since the landmark venue opened in 2004.
These refurbishments make the world-class international venue an even more high-quality host for conferences and events. Custom-made kiosks have been designed for high-traffic events and a designated co-working space added. The stunning concourse remains fully flexible for exhibitions. Furthermore, the addition of high-spec digital screens has diversified the sponsorship and branding opportunities available to clients.
Operated by ASM Global, NewcastleGateshead Quays, opening in 2024, will be the most sought-after event space for international meetings, conferences, and events. The £260 million development will include a 12,500 capacity state-of-the-art arena venue and an International Conference and Exhibition Centre, offering 5,700 square meters of exhibition space, and an abundance of flexible event space capable of hosting major national and international business events. There will also be two adjoining Accor branded hotels on-site bringing 327 new bedrooms.
With great variety, travel networks and accommodation visit Meetnewcastlegateshead.com to get planning your perfect event in the North East