Culture, confidence and creativity in the North East

Perhaps it was finally getting around to watching 28 Years Later, with its sweeping views of Holy Island and the Northumberland coastline.

Or perhaps it was a brilliant networking event at Hotel Gotham Newcastle, a former fire station brought back to life with real character.

For whatever reason, during this particularly grey and gloomy start to 2026, I found myself thinking a lot about culture, creativity and the role they play for people and places like the North East.

We start the year with a few glimmers of economic hope, both nationally and regionally.

February’s data shows the overall UK economy grew by around 1.3 per cent last year (up from 1.1 per cent the year before, although lower than the Bank of England’s 1.4 per cent forecast).

The Chancellor’s Budget at the end of last year increased spending in professional services.

The North East Chamber of Commerce’s own quarterly economic survey also found that easing cost pressures and a rise in UK-based orders helped local firms feel more confident, alongside gradually falling prices.

That confidence, however, is not universal.

In conversations with our members in retail and hospitality, conditions remain challenging.

Household spending is tight, and the lingering effects of inflation, particularly the cost of food and heating, continue to weigh heavily on many businesses.

The Government has attempted to introduce some relief in the form of a permanent cut in business rates from this April for small and mid-sized leisure and hospitality ventures.

Pubs and music venues in England will also receive a 15 per cent discount on their business rates bills from April and will see no further increases for two years.

The Treasury has also indicated that a wider high streets strategy will be published later this year.

High street retail and leisure, however, are only part of the story.

The North East’s cultural and creative industries, from screen and television production to video game studios, design agencies and branding consultancies, form a diverse and fast-growing sector expected to grow by 7.6 per cent over the next five years.

Sitting alongside many of these businesses in central Middlesbrough recently, I was struck by their confidence and enthusiasm.

Their determination to attract top talent, create local opportunities for young people and combine strong commercial management with innovation was clear to see.

Importantly, this same creativity shapes not only our businesses but the character of the places and buildings that define the region.

As we move beyond the early months of the year and into a brighter spring, my focus will be on how the Chamber continues to advocate for the right support at the right time.

Done well, this ensures the skills, talent and creativity delivered by this vital sector continue to power growth and remain a beating heart of the North East economy.

Rhiannon Bearne is deputy chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce

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