Newcastle Building Society is once again demonstrating its commitment to bringing communities together by returning as principal sponsor of the Newcastle Mela, one of the North East’s largest and most colourful multicultural festivals.
The Society is supporting the event for the third successive year as thousands of people prepare to enjoy an August Bank Holiday weekend packed with music, dance, food and family entertainment.
Organised by Newcastle Asian Arts and Music, this year’s Newcastle Mela begins with a city centre celebration on Saturday, August 29, before moving to Exhibition Park on Sunday and Monday, where up to 40,000 visitors from across the North East and beyond are expected to attend.
The free festival celebrates the rich traditions of Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and other South Asian cultures through a vibrant programme of live performances, authentic cuisine, arts, crafts, fashion, family activities and community engagement.
As a purpose-driven, place-based organisation, Newcastle Building Society has made inclusion a strategic priority and is committed to creating a “Place to Be You” where colleagues, members and the communities it serves feel they belong and are supported to thrive.
Visitors to the Society’s stand throughout the weekend will be able to meet colleagues, experience traditional South Asian games, and learn more about the Society’s work across the region. Representatives from the North East Anti Racism Coalition’s “Become the Bridge” campaign will also be joining the Society’s stand to speak about their work to challenge racism and help build a stronger, fairer North East.
Jennie Pitt, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Colleague Experience at Newcastle Building Society, said:
“We’re absolutely committed to being a purpose-driven, place-based organisation, with communities at the heart of everything we do.
“We’re proud to be sponsoring the Newcastle Mela for the third consecutive year because it provides such a fantastic opportunity to bring diverse communities together, build understanding and celebrate the richness of South Asian culture.
“We’ve made inclusion a strategic priority across our organisation, and events like the Mela help create meaningful connections between people from all backgrounds.”
The Society’s continued support reflects its wider investment in communities across the North East, helping create opportunities for people to come together, celebrate diversity and build lasting connections.
Taj Mohammed, Chairperson and Event Director of Newcastle Asian Arts and Music, said the festival has grown steadily over more than three decades into one of the region’s most anticipated annual events.
“It’s a wonderful event for families, children and older people alike. It’s a safe, welcoming environment where everyone can come together, enjoy themselves and celebrate different cultures.
“People will experience outstanding live music from artists travelling from across the UK and overseas, incredible food from Newcastle, London, Manchester, Edinburgh and beyond, colourful fashion and jewellery stalls, children’s attractions and so much more.
“The Newcastle Mela is completely free because we want everyone to enjoy it, regardless of their background. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what culture you belong to as everyone is welcome. That’s what makes the Mela so special.
“We’re delighted that Newcastle Building Society has chosen to support us once again. Their continued sponsorship helps us keep the event free and accessible while strengthening the message that our communities are stronger when we celebrate our diversity together.”
The Newcastle Mela takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and is free to attend. Full entertainment programmes and event information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Ends
Photo: Mela 1. – Taj Mohammed, Chief Exec of Newcastle Building Society Andrew Haigh and Jennie Pitt Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Colleague Experience.
Photo 2; Andrew Haigh and Jennie Pitt with members of the Mela organising team
All photos: Steve Brock Photography
Mela PR keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951
For further information on Newcastle Building Society, please contact:
Katie Storey – PR and Media Manager
E. katie.storey@newcastle.co.uk
Jeremy Mountain – External Communications Lead
M: 07977 290 598
E: jeremy.mountain@newcastle.co.uk
About us
Newcastle Building Society is the UK’s 7th largest building society with 32 branches across the North East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. A branch in Manchester city centre opened in 2025 under the Manchester Building Society brand. The Society has assets of more than £7bn. It has been there for its members for over 160 years.
Newcastle Building Society introduces to Newcastle Financial Advisers Limited for advice on investments, pensions, life and protection insurance, and inheritance tax planning. Aspects of inheritance tax planning are not regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority nor the Financial Conduct Authority. Newcastle Financial Advisers is a trade name of Newcastle Financial Advisers Limited which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Newcastle Financial Advisers has consistently been awarded Top Rated Firm status by VouchedFor – the UK’s leading review site for Financial Advisers.
We help people to own their home, to save and to plan their finances through our range of products and services. We believe in the role of the high street at the heart of our communities and we’re proactive in making financial information and financial advice accessible across our regions.
We’re dedicated to helping our communities make positive changes; since 1995 the financial support through grants and donations from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation North East to benefit local causes has surpassed £1.8m.
As a leading local employer, we’re committed to growing our region’s talent and being a great place to work where people can realise their potential. We hold Platinum IIP. We are a Real Living Wage employer and were the first building society in the UK to become an accredited Living Pension employer in 2024. Newcastle Building Society is ranked 65th in the 2025 Social Mobility Employer Index, and we have been named Regional Building Society of the Year for nine consecutive years (2017–2025) by What Mortgage? and Best Overall Personal Finance Brand at the Personal Finance Awards 2023/24 and 2024/25. In 2024 Newcastle Building Society became the first UK business to receive international accreditation for mutual value measurement, recognising our ongoing commitment to creating value for our members and communities.
Newcastle Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. FCA reg number: 156058