A Government-appointed “task force” has been meeting traders and stakeholders in a Northumberland town to see how its high street can be improved.
Experts from the national High Streets Task Force visited Prudhoe last week to look into how the town centre can be improved and boosted in the future. The support is backed by Northumberland County Council, which identified Prudhoe as a town that could benefit from support.
Appointed by the Government in 2019, the Government provides towns with “expert consultancy and training” and works with local governments alongside communities and civic societies.
Support begins with a visit from the task force with the aim of “unlocking the potential” of each place.
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Last week’s visit was the third and final one by the task force and involved a workshop in the Spetchell’s Centre with a host of local partners from the business, community and public sector including Prudhoe Town Council and Prudhoe Community Partnership.
Partners discussed and identified short-term practical ways the town centre could be boosted and also longer-term projects.
Cllr Gordon Stewart, County Councillor for Prudhoe South, said: “It’s fantastic to see the High Streets Task Force visit our town again.
“Prudhoe has many things to be proud of and our town centre is doing well but there is always more we can do. The workshop has provided lots of great ideas and the opportunity to reflect on how we might, working together make our town even better in the future.”
Ideas suggested included better and more coordinated events, better street lighting as well as campaigns around assets such as Prudhoe Castle and Waterworld Leisure Centre to increase the number of visitors to the town.
Professor Steve Millington of High Streets Task Force said: “Over the last two years, the Task Force has witnessed the resilience of high streets and the diversity of their communities. We’ve engaged over 4,000 placemakers so far and I’m delighted we have been able to support Prudhoe to consider their own ambitious plans for renewal and growth through practical action.
“We know from our work that high streets thrive when businesses, councils and community champions work together. The Task Force aims to provide that impetus to partnerships and to help them learn quickly from other local success stories.”
The visit came as Prudhoe welcomed a new business to its high street. On Friday (March 15), travel agents Seaside Travel opened its doors for the first time on Front Street.
Owner Nicola Park said: “Prudhoe has a lovely high street, the people are so nice. When they go past, everyone wants to talk to us.
“We just loved it as soon as we saw it. I became obsessed with it. It is a community and we feel welcome already.”
Mayor of Prudhoe Bryan Futers continued: “Prudhoe Town Council welcomes Seaside Travel to the town. It’s something that is lacking here. We had travel agents before, but they have relocated to Hexham.
“However, Prudhoe is a thriving town and I think we needed a travel agent here. It’s an outlet we have needed for years.
“Prudhoe is ahead of the game. I think we’ve got one or two empty units at the moment, that’s all – and I know there are plans for one of them.”
Cllr Stewart added: “At a time when some high streets are facing a troubled time, I’m delighted how positive it is in Prudhoe. We have welcomed a new business which will thrive in this community.”
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