Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay and other guests visiting Berwick Barracks

Arts Minister visits Berwick Barracks

The Arts Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has visited Berwick Barracks. 
 
The minister was given a tour of the barracks and an overview of The Living Barracks project which will see heritage, cultural and military organisations from the town, working together to transform the Barracks into a thriving cultural hub and bringing empty buildings back into use in a way which supports tourism and the local economy. 
 
A grant of £4.2 million from the Government’s Cultural Development Fund was awarded to English Heritage on behalf of the Berwick Barracks Partnership in May. This was the next step in delivering this long-term project to transform the barracks, enabling the partners to better tell its dramatic and intriguing story, and creating a vibrant cultural hub for the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.  The minister met a number of parties involved in the project to learn more. 
 
Andrea Selley, Territory Director for the North at English Heritage said: “The announcement of our funding from the Cultural Development Fund in May was very welcome and so we were delighted to welcome Lord Parkinson here and to show him, in person, the dynamic plans that we have for Berwick Barracks.  This is an exciting project and the funding paves the way forward to making a significant contribution to this beautiful town both in employment, tourism and investment. We look forward to bringing all parts of the Barracks back into use, and creating a vibrant place that local residents and businesses are truly proud of.” 
 
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “With family living across Northumberland, I’ve known and admired Berwick Barracks for some time – but it was fantastic to learn more about their fascinating story and The Living Barracks Project’s vision to transform the site. With the support of the Government through the Cultural Development Fund, the Barracks are set to become a cultural hub for local people, and a huge draw for tourists and visitors to the area. I look forward to hearing more as this exciting project progresses, and coming back to visit in the future.” 
 
Councillor Jeff Watson, Cabinet member for Tourism at the County Council, said: “This is a great example of organisations working together to bring real improvements to the town. 
 
“This exciting project will significantly improve and expand the facilities and offering, making Berwick a centre for culture and the arts and delivering a significant boost to the local economy.” 
 
The Berwick Barracks Partnership was formed by organisations with a shared vision to transform the Barracks into a thriving cultural hub and visitor destination.

Chaired by English Heritage, the group includes Berwick Barracks Heritage
Trust, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Northumberland County Council and the Maltings (Berwick) Trust.

The first phase of the partnership’s vision will see the creation of a striking new home for contemporary visual art and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Regimental Museum on a single landmark site, alongside studio spaces for local artists and makers with more opportunity for showing and selling work.

Meanwhile Northumberland County Council will be relocating Berwick Archives into the Barracks. The next phase will see a café / restaurant within the Officers Mess and the final phase will see the West Block and Clock Block returned to accommodation. A consultation began in the summer of 2021 and received widespread support.   
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