North East Museums formed to manage venues in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland

The body that runs a number of museums across the North East has switched to a new name.

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums has been re-named as North East Museums after agreeing a deal to next year to take over three museum venues in Northumberland. Taking over Woodhorn Museum in Ashington, Hexham Old Gaol and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum will give the organisation 12 venues around the North East.

North East Museums is the largest museum sector Arts Council England national portfolio organisation in the country in terms of the funding and its venues attracts up to a million visitors each year, having a significant impact on the local economy. It runs venues including the Laing art gallery, Arbeia Roman fort, the Stephenson Steam Railway and the Shipley art gallery.

Keith Merrin, director of North East Museums, said: “This is a hugely positive and significant moment for both our organisation and our partners to ensure that by working together we can deliver the best museums, galleries and archives for the people of our region and visitors from all over the world.

“We were already working on a new name and brand for the organisation before Northumberland County Council approached us about the potential of managing their museums, and now our new name makes even more sense.”

Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson, said: “Museums are extremely important for our residents and visitors which is why the county council want to make sure we provide the very best offer we can. Our new providers come with a very impressive and proven track record and will bring a fresh spark which I am sure will be appreciated.”

From next April, North East Museums will manage Arbeia Roman fort in South Shields Roman Fort, the Discovery Museum, Great North Museum: Hancock, Hatton Gallery, Hexham Old Gaol, the Laing Art Gallery, Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, Segedunum Roman Fort, Shipley Art Gallery, South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, Stephenson Steam Railway, Woodhorn Museum, and Tyne & Wear Archives.