Tyneside Cinema secures funding and future
North East cultural institution Tyneside Cinema is set for a new era after securing a major six-figure funding boost.
The iconic Newcastle city centre venue has received a £700,000 loan from the North East Social Investment Fund, managed by Northstar Ventures.
The money will be used to put in place and fund a major turnaround plan for Tyneside Cinema – known to many as ‘the Tyneside’ - as it looks to further expand its offering to the region and become self-sufficient and self-funding.
News of the funding boost comes just over three months after the Tyneside brought on board new chief executive officer Nic Greenan.
An experienced and dynamic cultural executive, Nic played a pivotal role as part of the leadership team that won the UK City of Culture 2025 bid for Bradford and Brit School North.
She will now head up the new era at the Tyneside as the venue embarks on an exciting and ambitious drive to grow its audience and influence and continue its unbroken 87-year history operating from a unique Grade II listed building, playing a key role in the North East’s cultural landscape.
Nic said: “This really is a new beginning for the Tyneside.
“Securing this funding gives us the solid foundation which we need to not just continue the Tyneside’s incredible history but to build a vibrant and exciting future.
“Since I joined the Tyneside, I’ve been absolutely bowled over by the love people have for this place and the passion they have for what it does – there really is nowhere else like it.
“My task now is to harness that passion and help drive the Tyneside forward to a place where it is not just a sustainable, independent cinema but a real magnet for audiences, a place of wonder and excitement for people of all ages and audiences of all kinds.
“Everyone at the Tyneside is incredibly grateful to the North East Social Investment Fund and Northstar Ventures for their belief in our ability to transform this cherished venue. There is a lot of hard work still to be done, but we are now in a position to progress a number of exciting new projects and initiatives which we will be announcing in the coming months.”
Naomi Allen Seales, Investment Manager at Northstar Ventures, said: “Tyneside Cinema is far more than just a cinema or a building: it’s a cultural institution and a charity whose activities and influence spreads into communities right across the region and further afield.
“That’s why when we were approached by the Tyneside for finance from the North East Social Investment Fund, we were delighted to be able to help.
“The fund supports social enterprises and charitable organisations across the North East by providing investment which ultimately enables the organisation to become more sustainable whilst improving or scaling their social impact.
“We have seen first hand how Nic and the team are working hard towards securing the future and legacy of the Tyneside whilst increasing social impact and we are delighted to have been able to play a part in the future of such a regionally important cultural icon.
“Additionally, we are delighted that Tyneside Cinema has also secured a grant of £37,500 from our partners at The County Durham Community Foundation.”
The funding, from the North East Social Investment Fund, which will be paid back over the next ten years, helps to secure the immediate future of Tyneside Cinema, which had been facing the worst crisis in its history.
Last year, the Tyneside launched an emergency fundraising campaign after a combination of a post-Covid slump in audiences, the cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills meant that it would have had to close.
Without additional funds and support from the public, the Tyneside could have faced the same fate as other independent cinemas and audience venues around the country which have had to shut their doors for good.
The campaign raised over £100,000 in donations, ensuring the Tyneside’s immediate survival and buying enough time so that the new funding could be secured.
Nic Greenan said: “That support at such a difficult time has been so crucial and our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who donated money, came to see a film or enjoyed our hospitality at the Tyneside Café Bar.
“Our aim now is to ensure that there are even more reasons to come to the Tyneside with a new programme of events with some surprises up our sleeves. Despite the love and loyalty, we can only keep the doors open if people utilise the venue.
“Film will always be our focus, but we have plans for other magical, unique experiences that you just won’t get anywhere else.
“We’re looking to make the most out of our incredible event hire facilities with everything from corporate meetings to wonderful weddings and expanding the range of cultural events to make sure the Tyneside provides unmissable attractions for all kinds of audiences.”
The Tyneside also plans to expand its activities within the community including focusing on ways to foster creativity and creative sector skills in people of all ages.
Earlier this year, the Tyneside launched its Screenwriter In Residence programme in association with New Writing North and the North East Combined Authority, offering a six-month residency for a writer based at the Tyneside to create new artistic work.
Nic Greenan said: “We have a lot of great ideas on ways we can enrich the cultural and creative life of the city and the region – as well as give people a cracking night out – and we can now start the process of delivering those plans.
“It’s such an exciting time to be part of the Tyneside and we want as many people as possible to join us.”
Further details on all the Tyneside’s activities can be found online at www.tynesidecinema.co.uk or by calling in to the venue on Pilgrim Street in Newcastle.