Artists’ eviction threat
CALL FOR COUNCIL TO PROVIDE PREMISES AFTER HUB’S EVICTION
A THREAT hangs over a community arts and health group which faces being evicted from their base.
Groups using Broadacre House on Market Street East in Newcastle city centre have been served notice to quit by its landlords.
The building had been empty for several years but has recently been used by community entrepreneurs on a temporary basis prior to redevelopment of the site as part of the regeneration of East Pilgrim Street.
As a result it has become a hub for community enterprises and creative artists as well as a venue for meeting and event hire, co-ordinated on a collaborative basis by Northern Creative Solutions.
However, they need to hand the building back by December while groups using the space will have to leave by November 3.
Lib Dem spokesman, Coun Nick Cott, said: “The landlords of Broadacre House have been helpful with Northern Creative Solutions by allowing use of Broadacre House whilst it was not otherwise occupied.
“We accept that their lease is now coming to a close and that the owners have interests in the long-term redevelopment of the area.
“I recognise that the decision is based on commercial considerations outside of the council’s control, but I feel the council could step in to assist the important work being done by its users.
“There is vacant space at the Civic Centre arising from current redevelopment, including the relocation of the Customer Service Centre from the Civic Centre to the City Library. It would not be impossible for the council to offer use of this space, on a temporary basis if necessary, to Northern Creative Solutions to continue the good work they are doing.
Coun Joyce McCarty, deputy council leader, said the authority recognised the work done at Broadacre House which had become a vibrant and valuable facility.
She said a project team has been established to help Northern Creative Solutions to explore all options in and around the city centre to find alternative facilities.
This included MEA House, which currently provides space to voluntary and community organisations, and may have some vacant space.
But Coun McCarty added: “Civic Centre is unlikely to be a viable option for these organisations.
“Our business model is focused on updating areas which we could rent out to accelerate income generation that supports the provision of a public service hub in Civic Centre.”
She said the council has made significant progress in securing new tenants in Civic Centre, with the Police Occupational Health Service, ACAS and the Insolvency Service all now in tenanted areas.
In terms of support to former tenants in the Pilgrim Street area, she said the Newbridge Street Project were recently assisted by the council in their move from Norham House to Carliol House.