Newcastle United co-owner Jamie Reuben has spoken of a "feeling of pride" as he walks around the city centre and soaks up the vibrancy of its famous streets.
Reuben, a British businessman, investor and philanthropist, is investing in the city and the Geordie people, and is looking forward to what 2023 will bring. After joining the club as part of the historic takeover back in October 2021, he has shared his passion about the region.
He told Chronicle Live: "The city and the people of Newcastle have made 2022 a very special year for me and my family. Most readers will know that I am a co-owner of NUFC, so it will come as no surprise that the brilliant performance of the club has been incredibly pleasing.
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"But success in the Premier League has been far from the only highlight because my connections with Newcastle are broader and deeper than ‘just’ the football club. My family and I have worked on development projects in the city centre for some time, and in the past year, we have been supporting local charities.
"We have nothing but praise for the work of the NUFC food bank. The role that local charities play in the community is so important. I know how valued the helping hand given by the foodbank is, especially at this time of year, which is why we have been supporting their work.
"The generosity we see on match days from fans is inspiring. They are always willing to chip in to support local people who are struggling to make ends meet.
"That is just one example of what has been an absolute constant throughout everything in the city that I’ve been involved in, which is the warmth, the friendliness, and the positivity of the people in Newcastle. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the city and those who live and work in it."
Reuben has spoken warmly about a stroll down Grey Street or a look at the development of Pilgrim Street. He said: "It's not just the spirit of the people here that makes it a great city. If you walk down Grey Street and Pilgrim Street you can feel a genuine vibrancy and energy.
"Newcastle is in many ways a very youthful place, but there’s wonderful history and heritage in the city too, seen in the amazing architecture. It’s a place people want to live, to set up and grow businesses, and to enjoy. Newcastle has a lot going for it, but I do also think that it has the potential to have even more of a buzz and bring more opportunities for people here."
The Reuben family have already invested heavily in Newcastle and looking ahead to the new year, the United boardroom member said he is enthused by the spirit of the city with more developments to come, commenting: "It is one of the reasons we have chosen to invest in the city with projects to build new offices, shops, restaurants and bars.
"One of the things I have learned from similar regeneration in London and elsewhere is that respecting heritage and architecture is so important. New buildings have to be functional, but they should look beautiful too.
"We hope that, in time, more and more people will see that Newcastle is a great place to invest – and to live. For example, it would be great to see even more students who attend leading universities in the region like Durham and Newcastle deciding to stay in the North East to work and eventually settle down.
"I know how strong the feeling of pride in Newcastle is – it is a pride I share. The city and its people mean a lot to me, so I am excited to see Newcastle’s development continue and the new opportunities that it will bring for everyone living and working here."
Reuben dons a black and white scarf on match day and has followed the team's fortunes home and away, and recently in Saudi Arabia, with United growing rapidly.
Looking back at 2022 and giving fans a message moving forward, Reuben said: "A final word on sport. It is brilliant to see such enthusiasm for horse-racing in the North East and we were so pleased to see a record turnout at the Northumberland Plate Festival earlier this year. Gosforth Park, which my family invested in a few years ago, is coming back strongly after Covid forced us to close for so long.
"Of course, as a football fan, I am really looking forward to seeing how NUFC press on after the World Cup. I’m excited to continue our work in developing women’s football at the club, as well as the academy, two parts of NUFC’s future that I’m hugely passionate about.
"As 2022 concludes, I want to thank everyone who we’ve worked with in Newcastle this year, the brilliant NUFC fans, and especially the dedicated volunteers at West End Foodbank.
"Lastly, I want to wish everyone across the city a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year. My family and I hope you enjoy the festive period and have a great start to 2023."
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