Disused bowling pavilion to house creative studios

The bowling green in the park will remain open to the public

A former bowling pavilion is to be turned into studios for the creative industries.

The Ladies' Bowling Pavilion in Gosforth Central Park, Newcastle, will become The Hut on the Green later this summer.

It will be operated by Mushroom Works, a studio and gallery business, which has signed a 10-year lease for the site, and will also offer events and activities.

Urban Green Newcastle, the charity responsible for the city's parks, said the deal was signed as part of efforts to bring disused buildings back into use.

The bowling green will still be available to the public, Urban Green Newcastle said.

Mushroom Works' founder Nick James said the group plans to use the pavilion to host workshops for activities including life drawing, basket weaving and ceramics.

It also intends to run a children's art club at the site.

"We want to develop the events programme in collaboration with communities in Gosforth and across the city, so we can deliver the types of creative experiences people want to try," he added.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help fund the renovation of the building.

Sally Vleugels, commercial manager at Urban Green Newcastle, said working with businesses and charities to reopen buildings was part of its work to "revitalise the city's green spaces".

"The investment by Mushroom Works will secure the long-term future of the building, and the income we receive from renting the space will be reinvested in the city’s parks and allotments for the benefit of local people," she added.