Mushroom Works gets busy in Gosforth
Urban Green Newcastle, the charity responsible for the city’s parks, has agreed terms with the organisation to turn a former bowls pavilion at Gosforth Central Park into a creative workspace called The Hut on the Green.
A community interest company, Mushroom Works provides affordable studio and events space for people in the creative industries. The Hut on the Green is expected to open later this summer.
A 10-year has now been signed, with work to convert the Ladies Bowling Pavilion set to begin. The bowling green will remain open as normal.
Sally Vleugels, commercial manager at Urban Green Newcastle, said: “Newcastle’s parks are home to some unique and special properties, and as part of our work to revitalise the city’s green spaces, we’re supporting local businesses, organisations and charities to bring these buildings back into use.
“The investment by Mushroom Works will secure the long term future of the building, and the income we receive from renting the space will be reinvested in the city’s parks and allotments for the benefit of local people.”
Urban Green Newcastle is working with property firm George F White to seek commercial tenants for unoccupied park buildings across the city.
Mushroom Works has secured a place on North East Combined Authority’s Crowndfund North of Tyne programme, and will receive grant support if it can raise around £20,000 this month.
Founder of Mushroom Works Nick James said: “The Hut on the Green is all about celebrating art, creativity, and nature; and giving people of all ages access to unique creative experiences in the beautiful setting of Gosforth Central Park.
“We’ll be offering a children’s art club, a range of talks and workshops, a horticulture programme, ceramic classes, our hugely popular life drawing sessions, and much more.
“Importantly, we want to develop the events programme in collaboration with communities in Gosforth and across the city, so we can deliver the types of creative experiences people want to try.”