Northumberland coastal town set for high street transformation thanks to £1bn fund

A town in Northumberland is one of 50 towns set to be transformed thanks to a £1bn fund to revitalise UK high streets.

Blyth has secured a place in the next stage of the government’s Future High Streets Fund initiative, and will have the opportunity to put forward plans to develop its town centre and bid for funding.

A submission to the fund was made earlier this year by Northumberland County Council, with plans being developed through the Blyth Town Forum regeneration partnership - including Blyth Town Council, Advance Northumberland, Northumberland Estates, Port of Blyth, Active Northumberland and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

Proposals will explore options to remodel the town centre, improving connectivity to the Riverside and South Beach to attract higher footfall, as well as examining how low carbon technology can be used in the town centre.

Cllr Richard Wearmouth, cabinet member for economic regeneration at Northumberland County Council, commented: “I welcome the news that our exciting development plans for Blyth town centre have been shortlisted by the government.

“This is a fantastic boost alongside our existing investment programme in the town, including proposals for Blyth Relief Road, new investment in offshore wind and energy industry on the Quayside and the reopening of the Newcastle to Northumberland line.

Joe Hughes, clerk of Blyth Town Council, added: “We are very pleased that funding will be available to help revitalise Blyth Town Centre. We look forward to working together with partners through the Blyth Town Forum to energise our town.”