Studio MB to tell Newcastle’s story

Edinburgh based design firm Studio MB have been appointed by Newcastle’s Heart of the City Partnership to develop new interpretive design across a number of key historical sites in the city.

Old Newcastle: Where the Story Begins, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will focus on Newcastle’s social, cultural and creative heritage using the ancient Black Gate and Castle Keep as new portals to the City’s rich history and character. A parallel project centred around St Nicholas Cathedral Church entitled Illuminating Stories is also included in the appointment.

Studio MB’s brief is to create one unified visit by bringing together several buildings across the ‘Heart of the City’ telling the story of Old Newcastle, its development, building history, its role in the creation of the wider city and the fascinating stories of its inhabitants. The interpretation will lead the visitor through time, looking at the social significance of the whole Castle area that gave the city its name.

Studio MB Director Charlie Barr commented: “We are delighted to have been appointed. This site is a hidden gem. Our job will be to make this heritage destination a must see attraction for the North East worthy of its cultural and social significance. We aim to bring to life Old Newcastle’s compelling drama and cast of characters set against a range of stunning and historic backdrops.”

Project Manager for Old Newcastle, Kate Sussams said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with Studio MB on this exciting project. They come very highly recommended and impressed us with their approach to designing thoughtful and creative interpretation for these special buildings. We have a multitude of stories we want to tell about Old Newcastle, giving visitors a real sense of its fundamental role as the place where the story of Newcastle really begins. We are very pleased to have been awarded a significant Heritage Lottery Fund grant to help us do this.”

Dean of Newcastle Cathedral, the Very Rev. Chris Dalliston, Chair of the Board of the Heart of the City Partnership which is leading the project, said : “This is a fabulous opportunity for a leading design company to get involved in the City’s flagship cultural heritage development. We are very pleased to be working alongside Studio MB to create vibrant and sensitive interpretation for these iconic locations.”

Award winning design firm, Studio MB, have previously worked on many keynote museum and heritage projects including Catherine the Great: An Enlightened Empress and Fascinating Mummies at the Museum of Scotland; Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway; Roman Vindolanda Fort and Museum on Hadrian’s Wall and the record breaking and critically acclaimed Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill at the Tower of London which was the most visited exhibition in the UK of 2010 with 14,000 visitors a day.

Future projects for Studio MB include Open Treasures at the wonderful world heritage site Durham Cathedral, The British Library’s Lindisfarne Gospels at Palace Green Library in Durham, The Black Watch Regimental Museum in Perth and the Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond, North Yorkshire. As well as the soon to be re-opened Abbotsford, the Borders home of Sir Walter Scott.

The Heritage Lottery Fund have awarded the Old Newcastle Project £1.67m to develop the infrastructure and visitor experience of the Black Gate and Castle Keep, with emphasis on creating a sustainable resource. The project includes significant education, volunteering and community focus, with staff employed through HLF funding to increase engagement with the area. More information on the project can be found at www.oldnewcastle.org.uk.

• To find out more about MB Studios and other exciting Heritage projects www.studiomb.co.uk