Shopping and dining destination, Eldon Square, recently took its commitment to community engagement to the next level by unveiling a brand-new Community Quarter.
Launched by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Veronica Dunn, the grand opening saw charities from across Newcastle come together, alongside the Councillor, to celebrate the vibrant new community hub. Those in attendance included Newcastle United Foundation, Newcastle Hospitals Charity and The Children’s Foundation.
The space has been designed to bring the local community closer together by providing a dedicated information-sharing hub that supports local initiatives that matter most to Eldon Squares shoppers.
Located in upper Grey’s Quarter, the multipurpose area can be hired for free by registered charities, schools, colleges and universities. The space is also available for arts/cultural, employability, civic/heritage, environmental and volunteering organisations to use.
Cllr Veronica Dunn, Lord Mayor of Newcastle, commented: “I was delighted to attend the launch of the new Community Quarter in Eldon Square. It is great to see Eldon Square come together with these charities to create this valuable resource for the community in the heart of the city centre.”
Graham Stokoe, Communications and Development Manager of the Newcastle Hospitals Charity, commented: “It was fantastic to be at the opening of the Community Quarter at Eldon Square today. I’m sure it is going to be a great resource for charities and community groups across the area. As the official charity of Newcastle Hospitals, we are always looking for ways to raise awareness of the work we do to make a positive difference for the patients, staff and community of the Hospitals, as well as to partner with organisations in Newcastle and the Community Quarter is going to be an amazing space to be able to do this.”
Ben Toal, Events and Fundraising Coordinator for the Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We used the space before one of our games to run some fundraising activities and give fans the chance to get their photos taken with one of our mascots, Monty Magpie.
“It’s a really useful area – there’s plenty of room to do different activities and it’s great for attracting passing footfall. We’re looking to use it again for more fundraising activities before a Newcastle United home fixture.”
Sean Soulsby, Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Foundation, commented: “Community Quarter in Eldon Square will provide vital profile and engagement space and opportunities for local charities. Being a recent charity partner and user of the space, we were delighted to be invited to the official opening. Eldon Square are a great supporter and advocate for us. It is their shoppers that donate, support and benefit from the work we do here at The Children’s Foundation. It’s important the smaller local charities are given the space to showcase their work, the community quarter will enable this.”
Cormac Hamilton, General Manager at Eldon Square commented: “Our aim for the Community Quarter is to help bring the local community closer together by supporting and showcasing local initiatives that matter to our customers.
It will also boost community engagement by encouraging individuals and groups to cross paths and interact with each other within this vibrant and inclusive space, that has been created especially for them.”
The Community Quarter, which is opposite Chatime, is open from 9am until 7pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Organisations interested in hiring the space should email clare.cannon@eldonsquare.co.uk
