A NEW pop-up ‘Talking Shop’ for creative conversation is soon to open its doors.

The space will host cultural events as well as acting as a drop-in hub for sharing ideas, telling stories and connecting with other creative people in Hartlepool’s Church Street area.

Set up by Empty Shop CIC and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, the project aims bring together in one place everyone who is passionate about art and culture in Hartlepool.

Empty Shop director Carlo Viglianisi said “We’ve spent the past few months connecting with as many creative people as we can in Hartlepool but we know there are more out there. Talking Shop will hopefully be a catalyst to bring together all of those people under one roof to kick off a conversation about culture in Hartlepool.”

Part of the Great Place Tees Valley project the new initiative brings a vacant building back to life on a temporary basis following the £1.1m Townscape Heritage redevelopment of Church Street.

Talking Shop’s first event will be two taster sessions which will offer people the opportunity to find out more about the project and try their hand at recording each other’s stories.

The drop in events take place from 4pm- 6pm on Wednesday, March 6 or noon – 2pm the following day to take part at Talking Shop, 12-14 Church Street.

Visit www.emptyshop.org/project/hartlepool/ to find out how you can get involved.