Our Four Strategic Pillars for Growth

EPIC Skills & Innovation Hub

Vision and Strategic Intent - The proposed Hub is not just a building, it’s a platform for encouraging partnership, productivity and progress.

Its mission is to become a beacon of innovation and opportunity, featuring:

· A vibrant STEAM education centre that links schools, colleges and universities with leading local employers. (STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics)

· A collaborative business innovation space, enabling co-working, networking and knowledge exchange.

· A visible and accessible presence to revitalise the local economy and create a community focal point.

EPIC directly addresses eductaional deprivation and youth outmigration, supported strongly by local employers and young people alike.

Ways to get Involved

Interested in helping shape opportunities for young people in North Northumberland?
Could you offer mentoring, talks, placements or insights that inspire the next generation?
Would your organisation like to partner with EPIC to support innovation, collaboration and skills development in the region?
Could you offer apprenticeships, work experience or project opportunities that help young people connect education with real careers?
Got an idea for a pilot initiative that could link STEAM education, local businesses and community innovation?

We'd love to hear from you

Get Involved

North Northumberland Rural Growth Hub

Vision & Strategic Intent - A Coordinated plan to attract investment, support start-ups, stimulate tech, creative and agri-sectors and diversify the economy beyond seasonal tourism.

The plan is to create a Hub in and for North Northumberland firmly within the Northeast investment zone and generate year-round, high-value jobs

This would give local businesses and employers a strong collective voice, shared resources and closer links to skills and innovation programmes.

The Alnwick Business Alliance is in early stages of development with a steering team appointed and its first meeting recently taking place.

Upcoming Projects and Events - ACE are currently building a rural focused partnership with Newcastle University to explore whether Alnwick could become a key national hub for rural innovation.

The vision would be to create a Newcastle-Alnwick "corridor" for agricultural innovation, with Alnwick being the anchor location for the agriculture and service community to build skills, share innovation and create a forum for growth.

In addition it would facilitate access to training in higher and further education pathways.

Ways to Get Involved

Interested in volunteering your time or expertise to help shape the development of the North Northumberland Hub?
Would your organisation like to explore a partnership that could support innovation, investment or regional growth?
Got an idea for a pilot project that could be tested in North Northumberland?
Interested in creating apprenticeship opportunities that help local people build skills in technology, creative industries or agri-innovation?
Keen to help connect innovation across sectors by bringing together technology, creative industries and agriculture in new ways?
Could you support start-ups or entrepreneurs through mentoring, workspace, industry knowledge or investment insight?
Want to stay informed about developments, opportunities and progress as the hub evolves?

We'd love to hear from you.

Get Involved

The Vibrant Town Initiative

Vision & Strategic Intent - A comprehensive programme to revitalise Alnwick town centre that will strengthen Alnwick's identity and boost footfall and pride in the town.

Upcoming Projects or Events:

Heritage Open Days 2026:

A Community Celebration of Alnwick’s Working Life and an Opportunity for Local Businesses

Heritage Open Days are England’s largest community heritage festival bringing local stories, skills and places to life through free events, activities and experiences.

ACE is collaborating with our amazing Alnwick Civic Society to support the programme this year.

On 19th September 2026, Alnwick will be creating a programme focused on:

“The World of Work in Alnwick”

This is a chance for local businesses past and present to be part of something positive, high-profile and community-driven.

Whether you have a clear idea or just want to explore possibilities, we’d love to hear from you.

ACE is coordinating Alnwick's bid for Town of Culture 2028 which is a major opportunity to secure national recognition and investment with the winning town receiving £3 million to deliver a year-long cultural programme.

An initial consultation has taken place to gauge support for the bid within the community and to understand what kinds of events and activities people would like to see.

Over 1,000 community voices are shaping the bid
Support for the bid exceeds 80%
A town-wide conversation from ages 5-94
Hundreds of young people are helping shape the programme
Music tops the wish list
Local businesses strongly back the cultural vision
Heritage remains central to Alnwicks cultural identity

Ways to Get Involved

Interested in finding more about how you could get involved in these projects?
Got an idea for an event, activity or cultural experience, we'd love to hear more?
Would your organisation or business like to partner on events, sponsorship or cultural initiatives linked to these projects?
Passionate about Alnwick’s heritage and identity and keen to help ensure it remains at the heart of the cultural programme?
Interested in volunteering to help support events, community activities or planning as the programme develops?
Want to stay informed and be part of the conversation as the projects progress?

Get Involved

Affordable Housing

Vision and Strategic Intent - This is a longer term project area. ACE will help address the shortage of affordable and energy-efficient homes, especially for young families and key workers.

Working with councils, housing associations and funders, ACE aims to deliver new homes for local people, using innovative tenure models and local construction training pathways via EPIC

Developing initiatives - We currently have no active work in this area yet.

Ways to get involved

Interested in being kept informed when projects begin in this area?
Let us know if you would like to receive updates as new housing initiatives develop.
Got an idea or interested in helping lead a project?
Do you have experience, ideas or would like to help start an initiative that supports affordable and energy-efficient homes for local people.

We would love to hear from you.

Get Involved