Step into the Ouseburn Festival, the weekend when Newcastle's most creative valley turns into one big celebration of music, makers and community.

In this episode of Tyne for Business, host Ashleigh King heads into the Ouseburn to experience one of Newcastle's only free cultural festivals, run by the Ouseburn Trust as they mark 30 years of protecting and regenerating the valley. From parades and pop-up shops to alpacas, hay bales and live music, it's a day that brings the whole community together and shines a light on the independent businesses at the heart of it.

Along the way, Ashleigh meets the volunteers, creative producers, makers and shop owners who make the Ouseburn what it is, and asks the bigger questions about why free culture matters, what it takes to run a small business in a tough economy, and why buying local has never been more important.

From the Victoria Tunnel and 36 Lime Street to Ouseburn Farm's 50th birthday, this is a story about heritage, creativity, community, and a village in the middle of the city worth protecting.

What You'll Hear

How the Ouseburn Trust created the festival, and what 30 years in the valley means

Why Ouseburn Festival remains one of Newcastle's only free cultural events

The real impact of free culture on wellbeing, careers and community

What the festival means for independent shops and makers

Honest conversations about running a small business in the current economy

Why "buy local" matters more than ever

Ouseburn Farm celebrating 50 years as a working farm in the city

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Tyne for Business

00:28 Introducing Ouseburn Festival

00:40 Arriving in the Ouseburn

01:10 The Ouseburn Trust and 30 years in the valley

01:51 Why a free festival matters

02:19 Meeting Pete, Victoria Tunnel volunteer

03:14 What the Ouseburn Trust does

03:31 Maria on why the arts matter

05:26 Inside 36 Lime Street and the Creative Foundations investment 06:15 Laura from Flaura Rose on festival weekend

06:53 Jess from The Find on community and independents

07:23 Running a small business in a tough economy

08:19 Why buying local matters

09:01 The Ouseburn business map

09:52 Ouseburn Farm's 50-year milestone

10:32 Final reflections from Ouseburn Festival

Special Thanks to Ouseburn Festival

A huge thank you to everyone who welcomed us into the Ouseburn Festival and shared their stories.

Ouseburn Festival is a brilliant example of the independent businesses, makers and volunteers helping to shape the culture, creativity and community of Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley.

Ouseburn Trust — Festival organisers

Pete — Victoria Tunnel Volunteer

Maria Baranovska — Volunteer

Laura — Founder, Flaura Rose - https://flaurarose.square.site/

Jess — Founder, The Find - https://www.thefindouseburn.com/

Ouseburn Farm - https://www.ouseburnfarm.org.uk/

Ouseburn Trust: https://ouseburntrust.org.uk

About Tyne for Business

Tyne for Business is a documentary-style podcast and video series from Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio, celebrating the independent businesses, communities and people shaping the North East of England.

Through conversations and place-based storytelling, we explore the stories behind the businesses that make our region unique.

Connect with Tyne for Business

Instagram — instagram.com/tyneforbusiness

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?

id=61591590248239

Website — tyneforbusiness.co.uk

Credits

Produced by Flamingo Heights Podcast Studio

Executive Producer & Host — Ashleigh King

Director & Editor — Joel Lowson

Camera — Thomas Young

Producer & Photographer — Chloe Fergie

Graphics — Alistair Rolls

https://www.flamingoheights.co.uk

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following, rating and sharing the podcast episode. Every share helps us continue telling the stories of the people, places and independent businesses that make the North East special.

If you're an independent business in the North East and would like to be featured on Tyne for Business, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch at hello@tyneforbusiness.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.