Urban Green Newcastle – the charity that cares for Newcastle’s parks and allotments – has unveiled Mushroom Works as the new tenant of the former Bowling Pavilion inside Gosforth Central Park.
The community interest company, which provides affordable studio and events space for people working in the creative industries, will launch its new venture, The Hut on the Green, later this summer.
Based inside the former Ladies Bowling Pavilion at Gosforth Central Park, The Hut on the Green will deliver a year-round programme of classes, workshops and talks in a wide range of creative practices – from life drawing and basket weaving to ceramics and horticulture.
Mushroom Works have signed a ten-year lease with Urban Green Newcastle to transform the Bowling Pavilion building and deliver exciting experiences in the park for local communities and people across the city. The bowling green in Gosforth Central Park will remain open and accessible to members of the public.
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.”
Founder of Mushroom Works, artist and designer 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.”
The Hut on the Green will have a soft launch during the summer with a series of summer school activities for children, before officially opening its doors in September.
Allan Gillard from The Friends of Gosforth Central Park said: “The Friends of Gosforth Central Park are really pleased to hear that Urban Green Newcastle have managed to find such a promising new use of the former Ladies Bowls Pavilion in the park. It’s exciting to hear about the range of courses, activities and talks that are being planned. We look forward to working with Mushroom Works to bring new life into this part of the park.”
Mushroom Works has been successful in securing a place on the North East Combined Authority’s Crowdfund North of Tyne programme, which will deliver a grant to support the renovation of the Bowling Pavilion if the community interest company reaches its crowdfunding target of £19,341. To support the crowdfunder, which closes on 31 July, visit www.spacehive.com/gosforth-creative-hut
To find out more about The Hut on the Green and sign up to its mailing list, visit www.hutonthegreen.com
Urban Green Newcastle is working with property specialists George F White to seek commercial tenants for unoccupied park buildings across the city. To find out more about the business premises currently available in Newcastle’s parks, visit www.urbangreennewcastle.org/get-involved
Urban Green Newcastle is an innovative charity that collaborates with the people of Newcastle upon Tyne, local businesses, and partners to create safe, welcoming and well-maintained parks and allotments that benefit all communities across the city. To find out more, visit www.urbangreennewcastle.org