Newcastle/Gateshead make culture shortlist

Date : 2002-10-30 Publication : The Evening Chronicle

We've made it! After a fiercely-fought campaign Newcastle-Gateshead was today shortlisted for the European Capital of Culture crown in 2008. The decision is a huge step towards capturing the glittering prize which will trigger an economic bonanza with tourists, investment and jobs flooding into the North East.
Joy erupted on Tyneside at 8.30am today when Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell announced the six finalists who will now compete for the title. They are Newcastle-Gateshead, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol and Oxford.

The final battle to fly the cultural flag for Britain in 2008 now begins in earnest and Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce the outright winner next May. Cities on the shortlist are celebrating being officially designated Centres of Culture, placing them firmly on the European tourist map. Twelve cities entered the race but were whittled down by an advisory panel chaired by Sir Jeremy Isaacs, former boss of Channel 4.

The losers are Belfast, Norwich, Brighton, Inverness, Bradford, and Canterbury. Ms Jowell said: "Now we have six centres of excellence - six showcases for the very best that Britain, the most creative country in Europe, has to offer. "Whoever comes first next year, I hope that all the bidding cities will build on the work they've done so far. "For everyone who bidded I'm sure this will be the beginning, not the end, of a journey to put culture at the heart of their city."

Sir Jeremy said choosing the shortlist had been a "rewarding experience" for the whole panel. "We've been knocked out by the determination, imagination and sheer hard work that all the bidding cities have shown." Cheers rang out among crowds gathered at the Baltic centre for contemporary art in Gateshead for today's announcement. Among them were people from the Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative, Newcastle and Gateshead councils, Northern Arts and One NorthEast, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for three years to get us this far.

But the celebrations were short-lived as they got back to business to prepare for the final push which will be needed in the months ahead to win the title. Neil Rami, chief executive of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: "Clearly, we're delighted. We've come a long way - but this is a marathon, not a sprint. "It's something the region richly deserves. We've demonstrated we can attract world-class cultural facilities and events. We've proved we can deliver with ambitious plans and creative ideas. "The bid itself has created opportunities for people in terms of jobs, ideas and new projects.

"The challenge now in the next stage of our campaign is to demonstrate the impact and benefits being European Capital of Culture will bring to all the people who live here." There was jubilation from people across the North East who have supported the bid including representatives of the arts, science, education, sport, politics, show business and industry.

Actor Tim Healy summed up their feelings when he declared: "Brilliant! As far as places and people go, you cannot beat Tyneside. And it's also a breeding ground of talent." The first many people knew about the good news was from Chronicle staff aboard the Press Express roadshow bus at Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre. The Chronicle has backed the campaign from the start, and we launched our Culture Vulture Club to get people from across the region involved.

The Newcastle-Gateshead bid includes proposals that will bring up to six million extra tourists, inject £700 million into the local economy and create 17,000 jobs in tourism alone. The £3 billion development plans already identified will provide the infrastructure. More than 2,500 organisations and 100,000 people have been involved in developing the proposals for 2008 and a joint 10-year cultural plan.

Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, chairman of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: "There's no doubt the delivery of world-class facilities and events has led to Newcastle-Gateshead's success in winning a place on the shortlist.

"The goal for us in the coming weeks and months is to promote the strength of the bid's potential impact in addressing the city's social and economic regeneration challenges. Winning the title will be the catalyst for us to create more jobs and build stronger communities."

Newcastle City Council leader, Coun Tony Flynn, said: "We've proved we've the right ideas. We can be trusted to deliver large-scale capital projects and ensure they have impact. We're absolutely delighted."

Coun Mick Henry, Gateshead Council leader, said: "We now have award-winning international icons here in the Baltic and Gateshead Millennium Bridge, but what's most important to us is that they've come about because of local people and that they're for local people. But, of course, the hard work is just beginning."

Dr Barbara O'Toole, North East Euro MP who speaks on culture for Labour in the European Parliament, said: "This is terrific news for Newcastle-Gateshead and just what we deserve. We've pulled out all the stops so far and I know this will continue until we win that ultimate prize. We're on our way."

Andrew Dixon, regional director for Northern Arts, said: "Being shortlisted is a result of our ground-breaking work in arts in education, arts in the community and international partnerships. There's something very special happening in the arts in this region."

Steve Brown, managing director of Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd, said: "It's brilliant news that we're on the shortlist and I'm delighted our titles, the Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun, have made a full contribution to the bid process."

Chronicle editor Paul Robertson said: "It's fantastic that the bid's got this far and is a reflection of the way the whole region is working together. We mustn't be complacent. We have to keep telling those outside the North East just how vibrant a place it is as we go for the deserved accolade of Capital of Culture 2008."

Peter Sloyan, chief executive of the Northumbria Tourist Board, said: "It's the single most important catalyst towards driving tourism forward that we're likely to see in our region in the next 10 years. It's crucially important to the region."

Rock legend Bryan Ferry said: "It makes me so proud of the place. We deserve to be on the shortlist and we deserve to win the title."

Athletics hero Brendan Foster said: "I'm not surprised at all. When you look at the constitution of the committee making the decision there are some very wise and experienced ambassadors. They visited Newcastle-Gateshead and saw how much energy is generated here in the North of England and could not resist the attraction."

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland said: "I would like to congratulate everyone who's brought us this far. I'm delighted Newcastle Gateshead has been recognised as one of the top cultural areas in the UK."

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