After the millions spent on Blyth Town Centre In 2007, it hasn’t gotten any better. A promise of change and a promise of bringing Blyth back to its best, all but a distant memory.
A small fishing town on the coast of Northumberland, Blyth was once a booming hub with plenty to shout about. Several industries to boost the economy and provide the people of Blyth with enough to get by.
Industries such as coal mining, steel works and shipyards were enough to keep the thousands of people in jobs and allow them to live by their means while creating a close knit community.
In recent years Blyth has become unrecognisable. Empty market squares and empty shops have led to a desolate town centre. The only shops that remain are cafes, barbers and charity shops.
Blyth has recently become a town which offers reasonably priced homes with an infrastructure to match. 3 doctors’ surgeries, seven primary schools and two high schools with an abundance of retail shops, mechanics and other local businesses to go alongside.
Over 8,000 homes have been built in Blyth within the past decade, it’s a wonder how the centre stays so quiet.
One of the main reasons for this is the negative image that Blyth now portrays, with a massive crime problem it is becoming more difficult to show Blyth in a positive light.
That raises the question, how has this happened?
Blyth News spoke to the owner of retail store, Pal Joey. An important part of Blyth for a number of years, providing good quality clothing at reasonable prices. This interview explains what his reasons were for taking his business elsewhere and his opinions on Blyth’s future…
It is evident that business in Blyth has took a hit and this is shown in the infographic below.
Using primary research with a group of 43 participants ranging from ages 23-86. 79% of the participants lived within a 10-mile radius of the town centre and only 42% of them used the Town Centre for high street shopping. It is no surprise to see locally ran businesses struggling more than ever and these figures show this.
So that leads us to ask, what can be done to save Blyth Town Centre?
With a lack of shops and a incredibly small profit margins for current stores, why would any large company provide Blyth with a much needed lifeline? With rumours of a Primark or a Marks and Spencer’s, we found out what is really needed.
Blyth News spoke to a local councillor for the Plessey ward – Sandra Stanger.
With more homes added to the town every year, it’s a wonder why Blyth has become what it is… without the support from local councils, it looks as if Blyth will remain this way for time to come.
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