UKREiiF | Glasshouse reports £681m contribution over first 20 years
According to an economic impact report delivered with Lichfields, 8m people have ben welcomed through the doors of the Gateshead venue since its 2004 opening.
As well as becoming an instantly recognisable landmark on the Gateshead bank of the Tyne, the venue known for a long time as the Sage has become a driving force for cultural and economic growth, with education and community programmes playing as big a part as major gigs.
“This report is a window on just how extraordinary our musical community is,” said Abigail Pogson, chief executive of The Glasshouse. “Together, we’ve just entered our third decade, and like many 20-year-olds we’re restless with ambition.”
The 20-year impact report is being officially launched at UKREiiF today.
With the creative industries now a key pillar of the North East’s Local Growth Plan, the event will shine a light on how culture and creativity can drive regeneration, skills and local pride.
Headline findings from the report include:
- £681.2m added to the UK economy since opening – with £36m each year in ongoing impact
- More than 8m visitors welcomed
- £14.1m in annual social value through education, inclusion and community programmes
- 2.8m interactions with the organisation’s Make Music activities, including 1.8m with young people
- 233,000 music sessions for people of all ages delivered across the region
- 10,000 performances and 4.9m attendances – from global icons to local stars.
- Nearly 700 jobs supported directly and indirectly
- £10.6m generated through conferences and events.
The Glasshouse is now setting out four bold goals for its future:
- Launch a new Music Academy to support the next generation of musicians.
- Become the most affordable music centre in Europe
- Enter the most creatively ambitious chapter yet
- Invest in its iconic riverside building for future generations.
At a time when ticket pricing for live music has been a hugely contentious matter, with Oasis’ comeback gigs coming in for criticism and new venues like Manchester’s Co-op Live, which has now been open for a year, looking to recoup steep development costs, the Glasshouse believes it can remain accessible.
More than half of all tickets sold last year were priced under £30, and 93% under £50. £10 tickets are available for under-30s, alongside pay-what-you-decide gigs and thousands of £5 tickets through accessibility schemes – part of the venue’s mission to open up music for everyone.
“We know music is not a luxury,” said Pogson. “It’s a route to joy, confidence, connection, and growth – not just for individuals, but for whole communities.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The Glasshouse is not just a world-class venue, it’s an economic powerhouse that supports local jobs, and shows the transformative power of culture. Its work to support diverse artists and make music accessible to all is central to my vision of a thriving region where there’s real opportunity.”
