Our future, safeguarded [PRESS RELEASE]

OFFICAL PRESS RELEASE:

Our heritage safeguarded

One of Newcastle’s finest Victorian buildings has been saved along with its priceless archive following a council decision.

Neville Hall, formerly the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, faced an uncertain future after the charity which ran the building, The Common Room of the Great North, suffered financial challenges caused in part by lockdown.

A question mark hung over the building opened in 1872 and its vast collection of mining and engineering records until last night when Cabinet agreed to take ownership of the building and appoint an operator.

The decision brings to an end month’s of uncertainty about the building and its collection considered to be one of the most important in the world documenting the industrial revolution.

Cabinet member for Culture, Communities and Youth Services, Cllr Rob Austin, said: “Neville Hall is a magnificent building – a real architectural gem with an internationally important collection of mining artefacts.

“It is important for the heritage of our region that the building and collection are safeguarded for the future. Unfortunately, the running of the building and servicing the debt has outstripped the charity’s ability to generate income so we have stepped in to save it.”

Keith Merrin, Director of North East Museums, who will now run the Hall, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing this magnificent historic building and important archive into our portfolio. It is a fantastic space for special events, meetings and conferences which will be a major part of its future use.

“It also houses a huge archive about our region’s industrial heritage, and we’re excited about the potential for making connections to collections across our other museums including Discovery Museum and Woodhorn Museum.”

Matt Boyle Chair of The Common Room of the Great North trustees said: “Combining the collection with the North East Museums collections at Woodhorn Museum and the Discovery Museum is another stage of evolution for the building and the North East’s heritage.

“We would like to thank all the partners who’ve made this next step possible and look forward to the next chapter in The Common Room’s history.”

The future of Neville Hall has been safeguarded thanks to financial support from the council and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority who acted on behalf of the region🤝

In line with normal practice, Cabinet’s decision is subject to a call-in period of five days where the decision can be put on hold and scrutinised before being implemented.

END.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Your encouragement, dedication and belief in The Common Room have helped us reach this exciting new chapter.