This section of the website intends to cover all aspects of business and economic development - the work part of Ouseburn’s live, work and play mixed-use strategic objective.
This is not only an important part of the Ouseburn Strategy but could contribute significantly to Newcastle, Tyneside and the North East’s competitiveness, particularly in the creative and cultural sector.
This growing sector includes probably the main concentration of cultural workspaces in the North East (about 150 artist’s studios alone); the niche office market, particularly for creative businesses (small character spaces, many in converted buildings) and visitor attractions (the tourism sector).
There is also a strong wish to support Ouseburn’s existing businesses. Ouseburn is currently estimated to contain about 370 businesses employing over 2000 people. Over the past 5 years nearly 50 projects have created 370,000 sq ft of extra floorspace for employment. Adding this to existing floorspace gives a total of over 1.1 million sq ft in the area. It is expected that up to another 500,000 sq ft could be provided in the next few years.
It is also hoped to concentrate over the next few years on embedding existing and new businesses, encouraging expansion of others and looking at expanding markets, training, graduate retention and utilising Ouseburn businesses to reduce worklessness and encourage enterprise - especially new start ups.
Initially, this section of the website contains background information on business in the valley, current projects and issues as well as lists of workspace to help companies find accommodation.
It is hoped that this section will be expanded to include a database and contact details of all businesses in Ouseburn to encourage inter-trading.