'There's nobody better to tell our stories than our northern people'

NORTH East leaders say a planned £2m Centre for Writing will help bridge the gap in cultural funding between London and the North East.

- By JAMES ROBINSON

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the North East Combined Authority's cabinet, mayor Kim McGuinness also urged the Government to devolve decisions on arts council funding to a regional level.

The centre, which will be based in Newcastle, aims to provide opportunities and careers for North East residents in the creative industries. It is hoped that the centre will “cement the region’s place as a national centre for writing and literature” and attract big-name publishers.

NECA will now acquire a city-based property in Newcastle.

This will then be redeveloped into the Centre for Writing, which will be operated as a joint venture between Tyneside-based charity New Writing North and Northumbria University.

Ms McGuinness said: “We are investing £2m to the needs of local creatives. There is not enough national money - we do seem to have been a bit forgotten about up here.