High streets in Wallsend, Ashington, and Newcastle's East End are in line for a multi-million pound transformation.
New details have emerged of the areas set to benefit from plans to re-energise struggling shopping areas that have been devastated by the Covid pandemic, the shift to online retail, and the cost of living crisis. The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) is giving £1.9m each to councils in Northumberland, Newcastle, and North Tyneside to boost towns in need of new investment.
Plans are now set to be finalised this summer to regenerate the town centres of Ashington and Wallsend, as well as five high streets in Newcastle. While exact details of what the money will be put towards is yet to be confirmed, Newcastle’s share of the cash will be split between Chillingham Road, Shields Road, Heaton Road, Heaton Park Road, and Welbeck Road.
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A report said that the five streets all had opportunities for growth but suffered from “high vacancy rates, lower footfall and have been experiencing decline which has been exacerbated by the pandemic”. Plans could include support to help local businesses cut their carbon footprint, connectivity improvements between the shopping areas, and turning empty properties into a “shared space for community and business uses”.
The NTCA said that Ashington town centre had been chosen because of “evidence of market failure and the need to kick-start regeneration in readiness for a further package of planned capital investment”. Improvements earmarked there include upgrades to Wansbeck Square “to improve connectivity and to enable the square to be used for community-led cultural uses and a programme of events and festivals”.
Northumberland County Council also announced recently that it would be making a bid for £16m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help regenerate the town, which also includes the delivery of a cinema complex and restaurants at Portland Park.
In Wallsend, the money will be put towards the creation of a new walking and cycling route incorporating artwork and installations between the town centre and Segedunum, enhancing the profile of the Roman Fort, grants for shop front improvements, employing a dedicated town centre business advisor, and developing a programme of festivals and events.
Carl Johnson, deputy mayor of North Tyneside, said: "We are tackling issues that affect local communities directly, not just here at cabinet but with our residents across the region, none more so than the Towns and High Streets Programme where each of our local authorities will be listening to communities in Ashington, the inner east of Newcastle, and Wallsend to test new models for high street transformation.
"Our high streets are the hub of community activity, from cafes to local shops where people meet and chat and share time together. We want people to enjoy their local spaces and their growing communities and this investment will enrich vibrant forms of civic life and social and community action."
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