Projects focussing on the industrial heritage of cities and towns across England and Wales have been awarded
National Lottery funding to support the regeneration of key buildings, high streets and landscapes.

The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers in central Newcastle, which houses an extensive archive of the industrial revolution, telling the stories of how the North East changed the world, will be rescued with a £4.1m grant. This new cash injection will revitalise the Grade II listed building and digitise the largest single collection of mining material in the world.

The Institute, founded in 1852, was the first professional mining institute in the world, aiming to “advance the science and art of mining” and to bring down the death toll and accidents in the industry. However, 166 years later, the building was at risk of being sold, and the collection dispersed.

This new cash injection will revitalise the Grade II-listed building and digitise the largest single collection of mining material in the world. The Institute will become the Common Room for the Great North, a public space telling the story of the North East’s industrial past, and inspiring the next generation of engineers and innovators.

A range of public spaces will provide space for educational workshops and lectures, as well as events such as live music and comedy.