MARKET towns across the North East will be given a massive Government cash injection to help tackle the blight of empty shops on high streets – but not a penny will go to Northumberland.
North Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Durham, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough will each receive £52,000 to re-open or re-use vacant premises to help regenerate the local economy.
Local authorities can use the grant
use as they see fit, such as a showroom for local artists, a nativity scene or other ideas to spruce up the high street, while local residents and organisations can also use empty shops with a standardised lease for temporary use while vacant.
But Alnwick, which has seen a swathe of town centre properties close and remain empty in recent years, wasn't included on the list, which is based on the index of multiple deprivation and the highest vacancy rates.
The funding, provided under the Real Help Now programme, was heralded with a fanfare of praise from Communities Secretary John Denham, who said the Government was determined to make sure town centres "remain vibrant places".
Civic leaders in Alnwick, however, say the town has been ignored.
"It's just appalling judgement," said Coun Gordon Castle. "Alnwick is being ignored, as is the whole of Northumberland.
"We should have been given the chance to make a case, but obviously the Government thinks we're too wealthy up here. If that's the case, why do we have so many empty shops? We clearly don't count in the Government's eyes."
Alnwick Community Development Trust manager Geoff Watson added: "We're very disappointed at the way this funding has been allocated.
"Some areas have been given this money while other areas which are suffering just as badly have been ignored."
The announcement was also given a cautious welcome by Action for Market Towns, which warned that more needs to be done to help smaller towns.
Chief executive Chris Wade said: "While it is good to see the Government acknowledging that high streets in our towns are suffering because of the recession, smaller towns must now make sure their voices are heard when their local authorities come to distribute the Government cash, otherwise they may find the money going to their larger neighbours."
