The Clinic at 66 King Street is Newcastle’s newest designer hub.

It is one of Renew Newcastle’s first seven projects to be launched this Saturday, February 21 and will include a sound digital and media gallery, graphic designers, an animation studio/production house and an online magazine.

Neon Zoo’s Abby Farmer and Clare Gleeson, who started their design/fashion graphics/web/illustration business 18 months ago, can not wait to have their own office space.

They plan to use the ‘design hub’ to build relationships, socialise with other designers and grow their business.

“At the moment we do not have enough confidence or finance to be able to sign a three-year lease,” Ms Farmer said.

So they will be forever grateful for Marcus Westbury and company, who had the vision to start Renew Newcastle late last year.

“It is great for property owners and artists – and hopefully it will increase the property values in the area,” Ms Gleeson said.

The other projects, which will move into their new spaces in the inner city are a photography gallery, a shop front for children’s art and craft classes, an architecture based installation exhibition, and a shop for artworks, origami and custom-made creatures.

Renew Newcastle has survived to date on no funding, relying upon volunteers, community support and property loans to get the project where it is today.

Its aim was to work with property owners, artists and community groups to use buildings in the city until they are redeveloped or commercially viable.

Mr Westbury said the group would like to chase every last property owner in Newcastle to make them see how good the project was.

In the next few months, he said he would like to see up to 20 other projects up in buildings.

“I’m confident that we’ll get support from the State Government and council.”

The top priority is to have a paid position made available for a group coordinator.

For more information about Renew Newcastle, go to www.renewnewcastle.org