The Starter for Ten Programme

Author: Gateshead Council   |   07/05/2009

The Starter for Ten project aims to utilise unused properties and underdeveloped land by accommodating a range of temporary uses. The project will transform a redundant building at the heart of the town centre into a thriving creative cluster for small businesses.

Gateshead has a highly successful track record of culture led regeneration. However it recognises that for culture to continue to thrive, creative practitioners need to be supported to produce and develop their work. Currently there is an unmet demand for creative workspace in Gateshead.

The Council has committed funds from its capital budget to refurbish a building in the town centre which is ear-marked for demolition in two years time as part of the town centre redevelopment. A secondment has been arranged with Arts Council England to lead the project. .

The project is aimed at creative businesses that would otherwise have difficulty accessing workspace. The building is being refurbished to a minimum standard which meets health and safety requirements and will be offered to creative practitioners on a rent-free basis.

At the same time the Council is looking at other vacant properties across the borough for further developments based on the Starter for Ten model. A priority is to identify follow-on space for the occupants of the first building at the end of the two years.