Newcastle’s popular Screen on the Green receives national recognition
The Screen on the Green has picked up a national award.
NE1 has received the Best Event Award at the Towns and City Management Industry (TCMI) awards for its Screen on the Green activities at Old Eldon Square, in Newcastle city centre.
The award recognised the Screen on the Green for demonstrating how creative placemaking can breathe new life into city spaces and change their use.
The event transformed Old Eldon Square from a well-known anti-social behaviour hotspot into a place for families and young people to enjoy throughout the six-week summer holidays.
NE1 has stated that the event attracted more than 95,000 visitors over the course of last summer.
The Screen on the Green is an open-air movie experience and has been a staple of NE1’s summertime schedule for nine years - becoming one of the company’s most popular events.
It now boasts over 100 free movies, which are screened throughout the six-week holidays, combined with live coverage of major sporting events that include Wimbledon and the Tour de France.
Alongside the outdoor screen, NE1 has designed other interactive play elements to complement the free films, filling the space with activities to attract people of all ages, encouraging them to stay longer in the city.
Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive of NE1 Ltd, has expressed his pride at being able to secure the award.
He said: “We are proud to have won the prestigious ‘Best Event’ category for Screen on the Green, this is a huge accolade and a resounding acknowledgement of the hard work and vision of our events team.
“ACTM is a respected voice for town and city management at both a European and wider global level, and this award helps cement our position among some of the best BIDs in the UK.
“At NE1 we place a great emphasis on our events calendar and the hundreds of thousands of visitors it attracts to the city each year.
“Events are one of the key pillars of our Business Plan, and are crucial for driving footfall, adding vibrancy and building attractiveness for the city.
“As demonstrated by Screen on the Green, we tailor our events to specific locations, allowing us to showcase different areas of the city throughout the year.”
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NE1 introduced Tiny Toon, a miniature play village with replica Newcastle businesses and iconic Newcastle landmarks, to complement the Screen on the Green in 2024.
Created by local firms EVNT Inspirations and MCW Design, it was operated in partnership with Eldon Square, Olive & Bean, My Delhi, Theatre Royale and Nexus.
Rachel Fenwick, Head of Marketing and Events at NE1, added: “We are incredibly proud of this award and the national recognition it brings, as it highlights what we have achieved in the city for the people of Newcastle and visitors.
“Over 100 free movies through the summer, alongside free, fun activities for all the family, which transform the space into a play destination for six weeks.
“Tiny Toon was the newest element in the square for 2024 and was inspired by my little boy, who loves immersive pretend play.
“I wanted to capture that spirit of imagination and use it to celebrate Newcastle, its character, culture and community.
“From the Tyne Bridge to the local theatres and, of course, the iconic Metro, Tiny Toon helps young children fall in love with their hometown in miniature form.”
For more details about all the events in NE1’s Summer in the City schedule for 2025, then you can visit: https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/.
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