There are many reasons the North East as a region can collectively and confidently stride into 2018.
At the end of last year, Rough Guides, the goto guide for global explorers and travellers, put Newcastle as number one on its list of must visit places for 2018. In itself, a very cool thing that left the likes of Palermo, New Orleans and Jordan mere also-rans in the list.
As well as the well-trodden ‘warmth of the people’ among its many reasons, much of its reasoning was centred around the upcoming Great Exhibition of the North. The eyes of not only the UK, but the world will be on the region as we bring, in the words of the exhibition organisers themselves, ‘a summerlong programme of amazing exhibits, inspired technology, vibrant performances, cutting edge culture and magical experiences’. I can’t wait to see details of the programme. Already, organisations like Virgin Trains, Womble Bond Dickinson and Ward Hadaway are throwing their finiancial and physical support behind the Great Exhibition of the North.
It was a fantastic bid to win from the team at NewcastleGateshead Initiative and their continued dedication to bringing world class events and exhibitions to the region. Conversely, it was a blow for so many who put so much into Sunderland’s bid for UK City of Culture for 2021, but the instantaneous response from all in the city has been to plough on regardless. It may not have the Government’s title and the paltry £3m that comes with it, but the bid has galvanised the city.
The whole process has focused the mind and the resources and one feels this is not the end, but just the beginning of some fantastic cultural developments in Sunderland. As good as this will be for Coventry, it seems the entire process is a wholly worthy exercise for Sunderland and the North East. Remember, Newcastle lost out to Liverpool as Europe’s capital of culture in 2008. That didn’t do a lot to stop the stunning transformation of the city.
Back in the Autumn Budget, the Government surprised most of us with a host of attractive packages for the North East, the most headline grabbing being the additional funding for the Tees Valley Mayor to spend, fresh investment in the Redcar Steelworks site, a massive £350m boost to upgrade the Tyne and Wear Metro system and the shock announcement that the devolution deal for the North of Tyne Combined Authorities from Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. Expect a new mayor for the devolved region to be in place this year.
On a personal level, 2018 is going to be one to embrace. Our own operations at W North had an amazing start to life in 2017. We’re still barely nine months old, but it’s been so pleasing to watch how our big brothers at W Communications in London have responded to life in the North East. They, and our clients, have seen the incredible energy of this region in action and growth here for 2018 is most definitely on the cards.
Christian Cerisola is head of W North. www.wnorth.co.uk @WCommNorth
