Historic market searches for poet in residence

Newcastle's Grainger Market sees tens of thousands of customers every week

Newcastle's Grainger Market is to get its own poet in residence, as part of the city's poetry festival.

The paid role, which involves engaging traders and shoppers over five days in April, has a special focus on local places.

The work will be showcased at Newcastle Poetry Festival in May.

Dr Theresa Muñoz, festival director, said: "We hope that a poet will be inspired by the rich history, architecture, and stalls of Grainger Market."

The poet in residence, who can have "any level" of experience, will use their time at the market to create a new written work, based on the theme "In/Out of Place", organisers said.

The festival, at Northern Stage, has been organised by Newcastle University in partnership with Newcastle City Council.

Located in the centre of Newcastle, Grainger Market has about 320 traders, attracting 125,000 customers each week.

Organisers said the theme of the festival will explore the connection between poetry and history, feelings of displacement and belonging, and the power of local places to inspire creativity and new writing.

"This residency will build cultural and creative links between artists and sites of heritage in Newcastle," Dr Muñoz added.

Applications close on Monday, 18 March.