The new North of Tyne mayor and Combined Authority will be based on a flagship development site playing a key role in the growth of the north east economy.

The science and technology park, Helix, opposite St James Park in Newcastle, has been chosen to be the home of the Mayor and the Combined Authority’s cabinet.

The decision was taken after a list of potential sites across the North of Tyne area was considered. It was decided the site needed to have:

  • accessibility to public transport
  • value for money
  • proximity to key stakeholders
  • availability of parking
  • future expansion opportunities

Pat Ritchie, Interim Head of Paid Service for the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) , said: “With just weeks to go now until the new Elected Mayor takes up their office it’s important that we have the right staff and accommodation in place to allow them to start work straight away.”

Helix is set to create thousands of new jobs, bringing together industry, businesses and top researchers in an innovative new community for cutting edge data, urban and life sciences.

The decision to choose the Lumen building on Helix means the new mayor will be based at the heart of the area’s advanced research offer.

Helix is being delivered in a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University and Legal & General. The Lumen is the largest office building to be constructed with private sector funding in the city in the last decade.

The site is already home to the Core building for new and growing knowledge-based businesses, and the Urban Science Building, a laboratory for world-class research and education in computing, digital technology and engineering.

Also, on Helix is the Biosphere, a brand-new lab and office facility, and the Frederick Douglass Centre which is due to open in autumn.

2020 will also see the launch of The Catalyst, which will be home to the National Innovation Centres for Ageing and Data.  Until The Lumen is completed in about 12 months, the new mayor and the Combined Authority will be based at Quadrant West at Cobalt Business Park.

Formal meetings of the Combined Authority will continue to take place at different locations across the North of Tyne area.

A number of new employees will be joining the Combined Authority team over the coming months to provide support for the incoming Elected Mayor.