Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust is a Charity (Charity No: 1119143) that was established in July 2003 to complete a community asset transfer of the Linskill Centre, North Shields from North Tyneside Council. The centre was due to be demolished by the Council, resulting in the formation of a community campaign to save it. The Trust completed the asset transfer in April 2006 and has successfully developed it into a thriving community facility serving the communities of North Tyneside. One of the largest asset transfers in the country and the only asset transfer in North Tyneside, the Linskill Centre is considered a regional success story.

The Trust has successfully converted the centre into a financially self-sustainable community facility. Capital investment has been gradually secured to improve the facilities and the Trust operates a number of community businesses there under Linskill Trading Ltd. These services are for the benefit of the local community with all surpluses being reinvested into the centre and its community activities.

The Trust also manages two satellite sites at Battle Hill Multi-Use Centre and Royal Quays Community Centre, both transferred in April 2020, with the objective of rejuvenating these centres and extending its reach into North Tyneside.

Corporate Mission and Strategy

There are five core business objectives underpinning our Five Year Plan and to find out please download a copy of our corporate strategy.

  • Investing in & Maintaining our Community Hubs
  • Growing Strong Community Businesses
  • Securing Funding to Support & Develop our Community Programme
  • Increasing Social Impact & Inclusion
  • Recruiting & Developing Staff for Ongoing Growth of Linskill Nursery
Find Out More
  • 260,000

    Visitors per year

  • 15,000

    Volunteer hours per year

  • £3,200,000

    Grant funding

  • 30

    Permanent Tenants

Cooking Class in Kitchen

Reinvest in your Community

All proceeds raised by the Trust’s commercial activities are reinvested into the Linskill Centre and its community activities programme. In reality, every pound you spend at Linskill whether buying a coffee, attending a class, or booking a room contributes to the running costs of the centre and development of community activities.

Linskill Trust is a registered Charity (Charity No: 1119143) and also welcomes donations from individuals, companies and organisations to help deliver its community programmes.

Making a donation could not be easier as you can make a personal donation by simply clicking the link below and selecting either a one-off or monthly donation.

The Trust is grateful for all donations and be assured every pound is reinvested into the Linskill Trust and its community activities.

Donate Now

Annual Report 2024/25

The Trust’s Annual Report for 2024/2025 is available providing a summary and reflection of key developments, performance and achievements.

Woman Cutting Paper With Scissors

Linskill Centre

The Linskill Centre is a thriving community facility in North Shields providing a place to learn, relax and engage in activities. The Trust employs over 60 people working in various roles within the Linskill Centre ranging from administration, finance, marketing, community development, catering, maintenance to the nursery.

The Linskill attracts over 260,000 visitors per year through its community groups, tenants, weekly activities programme, nursery, events and cafe. Within the centre you will find an Ofsted registered nursery for 80 children, Café 32, two large halls and licensed bar, 12 meeting rooms and 30 permanent tenants based at the centre, offering support services across North Tyneside.

People in a Meeting

Meet the Team

Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust

Board of Trustees

Jill Prendergast – Chairman
Ellie Patience – Vice Chair
Brian Fitzgerald – Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk
Ben Allinson – Trustee
Ricci Boston – Trustee
Kathryn Atton – Trustee
Rosemary Muffitt – Trustee
Sam McLoughlin – Trustee
Julie McManus – Trustee
Sue Burns – Trustee

Three Women Laughing during Meeting

Meet the Team

Linskill Trading Ltd – Board of Directors

Paul Murphy – Chairman
Ben Allinson – Director
Simeon Ripley – Director

Senior Management Team

Simeon Ripley – Chief Executive
Melanie Adams – Operations & Marketing Manager
Kerry Steen – Customer Service Manager and HR
Louise Cervantes – Community Programme Manager

Thank you to our Funders

Get in touch

Talk to our customer service team for more information, availability, prices or to make a booking.

Call 0191 257 8000 or email info@linskill.org.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

We will only use the information you submit to us for the purpose of dealing with your enquiry. Please see our privacy policy for further information.