The latest
New film studios, a new arena, support for small venues and a festivals programme drive North East Mayor’s record £104m investment in the region’s creative talents
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness today unveiled a £104m package to turbocharge the region’s creative industries driving new jobs and opportunities for local people.
At the heart of the Mayor’s vision is £38.5m to build and open what is set to be one of the North of England’s largest film studios by the end of next year. Construction of Crown Works Phase 1 in Sunderland will start this summer.
A further £24m will be invested to ready Gateshead Quays for a new 12,500-15,000 seat arena to rival venues such as Manchester, Glasgow and London, as well as the creation of a new open-air performance space and urban park.
And Mayor Kim has committed to spend millions more to back small venues across North East England, fund a diverse programme of festivals, events and sporting programmes, and provide financial support for local people to build their creative careers and businesses.
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North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has welcomed the launch of a major growth plan for the North - with Northern Powerhouse Rail and a new rail line for County Durham at its heart.
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Investors and developers from four continents see firsthand the multi-billion-pound green energy opportunities North East England is unlocking.
Helping more people get good jobs with A New Deal for North East Workers
We want to make sure the North East has an economy that works for everyone and that more people and their families will have happier, healthier lives. New Deal for North East Workers is a strategy that sets out what the North East Combined Authority will do to help more people get good jobs over the next five years.
Mayor freezes £1 and £2.50 fares as North East bus passenger growth soars
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has confirmed that bus fares will remain capped at £1 for young people and £2.50 for adults until March 2027.
About our mayor
Kim McGuinness is the first North East mayor. She was elected on a manifesto dedicated to creating the infrastructure of opportunity.
About our region
The North East is home to three cities, award-winning coastline, breathtaking rural landscapes and historic market towns.
Have your say
Our vision is that the North East is recognised as an outstanding place to live, work, visit and invest. There are lots of ways you can get involved in helping us make this happen.
Helping your business thrive and grow
We are here to support North East business to thrive, grow and create new jobs. The below links take you to our sites providing Growth Hub advice, helping you create great places to work, and attracting new investment.
For better work and fairer pay
Shine recognises employers who lead with fairness, opportunity and respect. It’s more than accreditation – it’s a movement to make work better for everyone.
For business support and guidance
The North East Growth Hub helps businesses or all shapes and sizes to find funding and finance and access business support in the North East.
For inward investment
Invest North East England is the strategic inward investment agency for the North East Combined Authority. It's the first point of contact for businesses looking to locate and invest in our region.
More resources
You may also be interested in our further resources – supporting careers advice in schools, providing insight into the region’s vital statistics, supporting better and more active travel, and working towards net zero.
For schools and careers leaders
North East Ambition supports schools in the North East to offer great careers guidance and provide access to meaningful work experience for their students.
For data and evidence
The North East Evidence Hub brings together key data about the region and provides tools to help people make use of this data in a simple and accessible way.
For decarbonising the region
Net Zero North East is a partnership of leaders is businesses, local authorities, and communities driving forward a greener, fairer and more sustainable region.
For better, more active, journeys
Go Smarter, Go Active is a campaign dedicated to getting more people across the North East to walk, wheel or cycle to make everyday journeys.