Published at 07:43, Wednesday, 20 February 2013

ROSALIND Saul’s article on the state of Hexham town centre has prompted me to write to you (Courant, February 8).

On retirement three years ago, we came to live in Hexham after visiting very regularly for the previous 20-odd years. We love living here, but since we moved the town centre has constantly been a surprise to me as it has been allowed to deteriorate so much.

I walk into the town centre most days and never tire of the walk until I look down at the pavement; it’s dirty, littered, broken and often with evidence of dog walking!

As the main local town, Hexham could be a thriving hub, generating income from visitors to this beautiful area. Hexham has so much to offer but it seems like it is being allowed to die.

Having read that a tourism conference was being held at Wentworth with tourism agencies being invited to learn about what the area offers, it would be interesting to hear their comments about Hexham after they had a ‘walk about’ (if they were even invited into the town!).

I disagree with the comment that the boarded-up Royal Hotel wouldn’t stop people visiting the town. The thing is will they come back after their first visit. Will they tell their family or friends that Hexham isn’t worth a visit?

It is all about perception and at the moment the perception is poor.

PAMELA SMITH,

By e-mail

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk