Creative Space was appointed by 1NG Limited to undertake feasibility and business planning for a new build flagship media centre based on the remains of the old Maynard Toffee Factory at the mouth of Lower Ouseburn in Newcastle. The building will provide grow-on space to service the burgeoning creative industries scene in Ouseburn Valley.
The Ouseburn Valley lies close to Newcastle Quayside, the Sage Gateshead and BALTIC and has great character born of an enviable mix of features: industrial heritage, townscape, riverside locations and green open space.
The area is in mixed ownership with Newcastle City Council, One North East and the Ouseburn Trust (a local development trust formed in 1996) having a stake in the area alongside developers and a myriad of private business owner/occupiers and landlords. It is home to over 300 mainly micro businesses employing approximately 2,000 people and is the destination of choice for many of NewcastleGateshead’s creative and cultural businesses.
1NG has made impressive progress in mobilising detailed design, achieving planning consent and appointing contractors. Completion is expected in late 2011.
Creative Space’s expertise in business planning and knowledge of the creative and cultural industries sector was invaluable in progressing the development of the Toffee Factory, a flagship move on space for creative businesses. Their production of a robust evidence base and detailed financial models complying with ERDF and Single Programme requirements ensured that the funding applications were appraised and approved quickly enabling 1NG to progress with the planning application and detailed designs for the building
We are confident that the Toffee Factory will successfully meet the needs of businesses in the creative and cultural sector, following Creative Space’s expert advice on the business plan and detailed design of the building.
Vicky Cuthbertson, Planning & Strategy Manager, 1NG
