CULTURE CLASH
We take a look behind the scenes at NewcastleGateshead's unsuccessful bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008.
It's official. The Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has announced that Liverpool will be European Capital of Culture 2008.
After months of speculation and campaigning, Liverpool beat off stiff competition from five rival cities including NewcastleGateshead.
It was a devastating blow for the NewcastleGateshead team whose joint bid was favourite with the bookies.
The other unsuccessful bidding cities in this clash of cultural giants included Birmingham, Cardiff, Oxford and Bristol.
However, it was the Liverpool bid which struck a chord with the culture judges who were impressed with the city's special quality and creative energy.
Bidding to be best
NewcastleGateshead's journey on the European Capital of Culture bid battleground started more than two years ago.
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| Paul Collard's European journey has been exhilarating and exhausting! |
Over that time Newcastle and Gateshead Councils with a team of staff at the Newcastle and Gateshead Initiative have carried out intensive work. writing, fine-tuning and marketing the bid.
Paul Collard is Chair of the bid team, and he's experienced the pressures of bidding for the prestigious prize.
"We won the people's vote. It was just the judges who didn't give it to us. At least we felt that we had a shot," said Paul after the result was announced.
It's certainly been an emotional roller-coaster ride for the team, many of whom were close to tears when the result was announced.
Down but not out
When the final announcement was made on June 4 the disappointment on the bid team's faces was palpable.
Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, Chairman of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: 聯It聮s naturally a disappointment not only for those working on the Bid, but for the people of the North East."
"We could not have mounted a stronger bid and could not have done more to win this competition. However, look at what we have achieved. This is the city and region that is now seen as a model for culture-led regeneration across Europe".
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell praised the Liverpool bid for having an edge over rivals as it "embraced the whole city". "Liverpool was the most vital, energetic bid," she said.
United on Tyne
NewcastleGateshead's bid was based on the two former rivals presenting a united front. They believed that a joint bid would make a stronger impression on the culture judges.
The River Tyne once divided Newcastle and Gateshead - now it has united the two places with the Millennium Bridge being a symbol of the new spirit of collaboration.
Gateshead, once regarded by some as Newcastle's inferior neighbour, is now one of the most exciting places for culture in the UK.
Its riverside has seen a high level of building activity including the 拢46 m BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the 拢70 m Sage Music Centre, and many new waterfront developments.
Norman Foster's Sage Music Centre is gradually taking shape with its armadillo-style design and huge glass membrane. When it opens, it will be one of Europe's leading concert venues.
A major boost
Newcastle-Gateshead's success could have created 24,000 full-time jobs and boosted the region's economy by 拢1.2 billion over five years.
Despite the failure of the bid, NewcastleGtaeshead are keen to maintain the momentum of working together, and making Tyneside a cultural force to be reckoned with. | 
