Whitley Bay has been named as the best place to live in the North of England, after the Times' annual list commended the seaside town on its stunning beach and the transformation of Park View, which is now one of the best independent shopping streets in the country.
Many in the North East would already be aware of Whitley Bay and how fantastic a place it is, however this kind of recognition on a national level should open the eyes of more people around the country to how great the North East coastline is.
So who better to speak to about the success of Whitley Bay than the people who live and work in the North Tyneside town, as they will know the most about the place, as well as feeling the most pride that it is getting the attention that it deserves.
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Kathryn Meadows is the owner of Nicholson's Butchers on Park View, a family business that has been a staple of Whitley Bay since 1914, when her great-grandfather opened the shop.
Kathryn has spoken about her joy at Whitley Bay being voted the best place to live in the North, as well as how this kind of commendation is long overdue.
"I only saw this morning that it had won and it is absolutely fabulous for the town and the region as a whole. Business owners who are struggling at the moment with the Cost of Living crisis should hopefully get a massive boost from this.
"This type of list really shows that Whitley Bay is the place to be, and it spotlights a place to many people further South that might not have even known it was here. This can only be positive for the people living here, as we all want to highlight just how great of a place it is", she added.
Further along the road is Anne Thomas Workwear, where Nicola Strasser works. She is delighted that Whitley Bay has been recognised in this way, and said that she has seen the high street grow over the last few years.
"Personally, I think that it is good to see such an honest opinion of our town, and this kind of national coverage of the place can only bring good things, such as more tourists and footfall on the high street.
"I've definitely seen more new businesses opening and there are a lot less empty units than there were before. Whitley Bay has beautiful beaches that are not too overcrowded or packed, and more money is being spent in local businesses which can only be great for the town", she said.
Down towards the beach, Lorna Boyd was walking her dog in a light shower when she stopped to speak about the achievements of the town she lives in, as well as giving her thoughts on what the best part of Whitley Bay is to her.
"I saw the news last night and I was quite surprised to be honest, not because Whitley Bay doesn't deserve it, but because it was getting this kind of attention from a London based national publication.
"For me the best parts of Whitley Bay are that you can take a quiet walk along the beach whilst there is also a wide range of restaurants and bars. There is literally absolutely anything that you could possibly want here and I feel lucky to live here", she said.
Finally, Rowan Williams is from Sheffield, and her parents live in Whitley Bay so she is always here visiting them. She has spoken about her experience of the town and why it is great that a place in the North East has won an award like this.
"I visit Whitley Bay all the time as my parents live here and I have had a great experience here so far. It has been amazing to see the development of businesses on Park View and the it seems like a very up and coming place to be.
"Whitley Bay has amazing sandy beaches in a great proximity to where people are living and the closeness to Newcastle is also a great plus point. I have always said that I would live here in a heartbeat and this proves just how great it is."
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