Our Spaces
Accessible and modern cultural space in Gosforth, Newcastle
At Gosforth Civic Theatre (GCT), we’re an independent theatre, cafe bar and events venue imagined by people with learning disabilities and created for everyone. Whether you’re visiting for a show, enjoying our cafe space, or looking for venue hire in Newcastle in the Gosforth area, using our space helps support our mission.
The Theatre
A flexible space for shows, gigs & events
Our theatre space is incredibly versatile. During term time, we host weekly community groups like GCT Gaming Social and Youth Dance, where young people can get involved and develop their skills.
This space can adapt to your vision; our theatre is perfect for wedding ceremonies, conferences, training sessions, gigs, theatre productions and company presentations. It’s a highly flexible venue space for anyone looking for a unique venue in Newcastle.
Browse our What's On page to discover this month's exciting lineup of gigs and shows.
The Studio
A private space for smaller groups
The Studio is a private room, accessed through our entrance lobby and away from the main venue. It can fit up to 60 people and works great for workshops, classes, small gigs, meetings, or as a breakout space when you've booked the theatre for larger events.
We run various community activities here throughout the week - see what activities you can get involved with.
The Cafe
A light-filled space that's open most days
Our cafe is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8.30am–4pm, with extended hours during gigs, shows, and community activities.
Our bright and welcoming cafe is an ideal cafe space in Newcastle for casual gatherings, celebrations, or to work. We're a dog-friendly cafe, so four-legged friends are always welcome!
Whether you’re grabbing a morning coffee, catching up over brunch or unwinding after work, our cafe bar provides the perfect setting with free Wi-Fi and plenty of space.
Facilities:
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Free Wi-Fi
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Full AV capabilities
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Dog-friendly
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Plenty of seating
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Accessible entrances
Curious about our food and drink offering? Check out our menu.
The Foyer
Our main entrance and bar area
The foyer has a skylight, bar, and digital screens showing what we currently have on. These screens can even be customised for your event.
The bar is open during all events, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a drink or snack before, during, or after your visit.
The Dressing Rooms
Two backstage prep spaces
We have two lockable dressing rooms backstage with a toilet and shower facility between them. One fits up to 5 people, the other up to 9. Both have free Wi-Fi, mirrors, and plenty of space to get ready.
The Courtyard
Our outdoor space
Our courtyard has cushioned seating along the flower bed benches during the warmer seasons. There’s plenty of space for food vendors, which we often host during in-house and private events. It's good for sitting out for lunch, breaks during conferences, or just getting some fresh air.
The Garden
An intimate outdoor area
Our garden has tables and chairs out during the warmer seasons and features fairy lights that create a cosy ambience as the evening falls. We occasionally host live outdoor performances in the garden for celebrations or special events.
Accessible Features
Building Access:
Our theatre is a fully accessible venue. All entrances and exits, including fire exits, are wheelchair accessible with single-level access throughout the building.
Parking:
We have two Blue Badge parking spaces available in our car park for visitors who are disabled.
Facilities:
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Accessible Toilet: A dedicated accessible toilet is available on site
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Baby Change: Baby changing facilities are provided in every bathroom
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Low-Level Bars: Our bars are designed at an accessible height for wheelchair users and people of short stature
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Sensory Considerations: We've included sensory-friendly details throughout, such as providing napkins instead of hand dryers in our toilets
What You Can Do With Our Spaces
Our flexible spaces can be shaped to suit almost any celebration or event:
Weddings: Couples have transformed our courtyard into a personal concert, brought in street-food vendors and hosted ceremonies in the theatre. You can use the whole building for your guests, making GCT a popular choice for alternative wedding venues in Newcastle.
Conferences & Events: The Theatre is ideal for large presentations, workshops, training days and events. The Studio works well as a breakout or catering space for mid-sized bookings, offering privacy away from the main venue.
Gigs & Shows: Our Theatre and Studio are perfect for gigs, live acoustic music, dance performances, and shows. The Theatre seats up to 200, with a flat, accessible area, stage deck, PA system, dimmable lights, and HD projector - perfect for professional events. The Studio offers a private space for smaller gigs or acoustic sets.
Celebrations & Parties: Whether you’re hosting a family celebration or planning a children’s party, our spaces can be adapted with craft tables, gaming setups or even movie screenings. We've had everything from kids' gaming parties to anniversary dinners.
Community activities: From youth gaming and dance classes to workshops, support sessions, and activities for all ages, GCT is proud to host a wide range of community programmes. If you’d like to run a community activity here, please get in touch - we’d love to hear from you!
“We love GCT - lovely venue, friendly staff, great cafe... Thank you to everyone who makes it happen.”