Creative Central NCL to Open Landmark New Workspace for Local Artists and Creatives

Newcastle City Council has revealed a major £1.7million proposal to develop a vibrant new creative hub and artist workspaces next to the city’s historic Grainger Market.

In partnership with Cobalt Studios CIC (Community Interest Company) and with funding from the North East Combined Authority (NECA), the space will be refurbished into a dynamic home for the city’s cultural community.

It will see the corner of Clayton Street and Nelson Street transformed into an eye-catching studio offering flexible and affordable workspaces, event and exhibition areas, and café and retail area for makers and creatives.

Cobalt Studios will manage and operate the unit, offering a wide spectrum of support for creative activity. The space will also serve as an anchor site for Creative Central NCL, a five-year project investing in the city’s creative economy, with final arrangements currently being formalised.

Highlights:

• Location: 8,600 sq ft of refurbished space over four floors next to Grainger Market, including:
  • 6,500 sq ft of in-demand, affordable creative workspaces and artist studios which will accommodate up to 45 creatives within the space
  • 2,100 sq ft for community use, an exhibition space, a café and retail areas
• Access and affordability: A range of flexible hire options, from hot desks and communal studios to long-term subleases, with priority access for low-income, early-career, and underrepresented artists and creatives.
• Cultural hub: program full of diverse, affordable and free cultural events including exhibitions, open studios events, workshops and creative learning events
• Economic boost: A catalyst for further investment and opportunity in Newcastle’s city centre creative sector, this project is expected to deliver over £2million additional GVA (Gross Value Added) for the city, complementing the ongoing Grainger Market refurbishment project and the wider programme to transform the city centre.
• Job creation: The redevelopment and opening of the new facilities will create five new full time equivalent jobs with Cobalt and safeguard a further 56 jobs indirectly in the city.

Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet member for Culture, Music and Arts at Newcastle City Council said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the creative sector in Newcastle and we want to make the most of it for many years to come.

“The development of this creative hub and crucially, affordable workspaces, means our artists and creatives can thrive right here in Newcastle without the need to seek employment or adventure elsewhere.

“It will also support the growth of this vital sector in Newcastle, supporting independent creatives and small businesses flourish and contribute to our economy.

“We’re looking forward to working with Cobalt Studios CIC as they develop and grow this space into the kind of energetic and inclusive cultural destination that they have become known for over the years.”

Vikki Leaney, Project Manager for Creative Central NCL said: “This marks an exciting moment for Creative Central NCL and Newcastle’s creative economy.”

“One of the key challenges we wanted to address with Creative Central NCL was the shortage of affordable and secure creative workspaces in the city centre.

“Over the last 18 months we’ve been working behind the scenes to bring this unused space into the Creative Central NCL project so it can be revitalised and made available to the independent artists and creatives in Newcastle.

“In Cobalt Studios, we’ve found the perfect partner, deeply embedded in Newcastle’s cultural scene, and ready to bring energy, experience, and vision to our new creative hub.”

As part of their role, Cobalt Studios is planning to establish a new CIC specifically to deliver inclusive programming, support artist development, and ensure the project benefits the widest possible community.

The team brings 25 years’ experience in managing artist studios, producing cultural programmes, and running creative hospitality spaces.

“Keeping studio spaces affordable is essential to sustaining creative activity in our communities,” said Kate Hodgkinson, Founder and Director of Cobalt Studios CIC.

“This is a long-term investment in Newcastle’s creative future. We’ll be creating a space where local artists can grow, experiment, and connect with other creative people and with new audiences.

“We will also be developing a program of affordable & accessible culture. We’re very proud to be involved with this project and excited to have this opportunity and looking forward to expanding our community and getting to know people working and living in the locality.”

“It all starts with space” said Mark Collett, Director of Cobalt Studios CIC. “So, the opportunity to take the reins of one on Newcastle’s most historic buildings and bring new life to it is an honour for us and an exciting extension of Cobalt. We’re looking forward to seeing new communities develop, one story at a time!”

Led by architects MawsonKerr, the redevelopment work is already underway, and the building is projected to open in Autumn 2026.

To register interest in workspace opportunities, please sign up at https://cobaltstudios.co.uk/artist-studios/