People

Step behind the blue façade of Salt Market Social on North Shields Fish Quay. From quirky décor and eclectic street food to live music and day parties, discover how this once-empty Cosalt building became one of the town’s most exciting venues.

Discover Anthony Downie’s mural, North Shields No4, located on Trevor Terrace. Created for the Elevation Mural Festival, it celebrates the charm of North Shields' back lanes. Part of our complete guide to the Elevation Wall Murals. Meet the artists and explore the stories behind this creative town-wide project.

Dive into our exclusive interview with Simon Donald, the irreverent force behind Viz and infamous characters like Sid the Sexist. From launching a 12-page cult comic in a Newcastle bedroom to selling a million copies an issue, Simon reflects on family, fame and life beyond Viz. With tales of rock stars, stand-up and North Shields roots, this is the story of the man far beyond ‘Him off the Viz.’

Exclusive interview with Viz co-founder Simon Donald on comedy, cartoons and his deep connection to North Shields as the town celebrates 800 years.

He may be a celebrated musician playing regular gigs at local hotspots like the Engine Room and The Exchange, but when we sat down at Arbor Seven Cafe with Nev Clay, the first thing he wanted to set straight was his connection to North Shields.

Kirsty Hall is a singer/songwriter/pianoplayer based in Howdon, North Tyneside, delivering storytelling, poetic and political lyrics with ethereal sounds tinged with folk and country. Having...

Step inside the Cullercoats home of poet, playwright and Iron Press founder Peter Mortimer and you enter a world of myth, manuscripts and fearless imagination. In this candid interview, he reflects on five decades of radical writing, from “Broke Through Britain” to time spent in Shatila refugee camp, and his deep ties to North Shields. Thoughtful, witty and still chasing new challenges, Mortimer proves creativity has no finishing line.

Photo credit: Adam Kennedy It doesn’t feel like almost two years since I first sat down with Hels Pattison at The Exchange in December 2024,...

Documentary photographer David Hall, AKA Nostalgia Kid, talks North Shields, punk, music, community and the people and places that have shaped his distinctive photography.

Dayne Henderson is an underground fashion designer from North Shields, creating avant-garde latex couture. From Lady Gaga’s world tour to fetish club catwalks, Henderson’s work blends industrial aesthetics with deep personal storytelling.