The Mag Studio: Bringing Print to Life

Where print becomes experience through creativity, conversation, and community.

After years of retailing magazines online to customers across the world, we knew opening a physical store was the natural next step for Unique Magazines. Alongside this came another long-held ambition: creating a dedicated events space and cultural hub for inspiring conversations, hands-on creativity, and immersive experiences.

With The Mag Studio, we saw an opportunity to make print even more physical through in-person experiences that bring communities of print lovers, creatives, and curious minds together. It became a way to explore not only magazines, but the culture, creativity, and connections that surround them.

The result is a space that has expanded Unique Magazines beyond retail and into something more experiential. Today, The Mag Studio is home to everything from networking events and creative workshops to live performances and collaborative experiences.

To help shape the variety of experiences we offer, we created two dedicated event series under The Mag Studio umbrella.

The Mag Studio Sessions

The Mag Studio Sessions are collaborative events where we invite creatives, musicians, industry professionals, and makers into our space to share their craft, knowledge, and experiences.

These sessions are designed to inspire conversation, encourage learning, and bring people together through creativity and storytelling. From intimate live music performances with local artist Matt Fairley to cocktail masterclasses, publisher talks, and creative discussions, every session offers something different.

Our aim is for guests to leave with more than just memories from the evening. Whether it is a new perspective, a skill, a conversation, or a creative spark, we want each event to create a lasting impression.

The Mag Studio Makes

The Mag Studio Makes are our hands-on creative workshops centred around making, designing, and creating using printed and recycled materials.

For us, it is about celebrating print in a different way and showing how versatile, inspiring, and valuable physical media can be. Rather than letting magazines go to waste, we transform them into tools for creativity and self-expression.

From collaging and designing personalised notebook covers to learning how to gift wrap using recycled magazines, each workshop encourages guests to slow down, switch off from screens, and immerse themselves in a calming, creative environment.

These sessions are about more than crafting. They are about connection, mindfulness, and giving people the opportunity to step into a welcoming space where they can feel inspired, relaxed, and creatively recharged.

We aim to host at least two events every month, with one Mag Studio Session and one Mag Studio Makes workshop, alongside other collaborative events including networking evenings and creative community experiences.

We also love collaborating with local businesses and creatives through events and partnerships that help introduce brands to new audiences within the community. From workshops and networking evenings to sponsored experiences and product showcases, The Mag Studio creates opportunities for meaningful connections through creativity and shared experiences.

At its core, The Mag Studio exists to celebrate physical experiences in an increasingly digital world. Through print, creativity, conversation, and community, we hope to bring vibrant and meaningful events to the heart of Gateshead whilst building a creative community centred around print, culture, and shared experiences.

Enquiries regarding event collaboration and hire contact: ellie.purvis@uniquemagazines.co.uk