Welcome to the Town Centres Web site for North Shields, Wallsend and Whitley Bay. Use our search facility above to find businesses and services in each of the town centres. All local high street businesses based in North Tyneside may apply for a free entry - we currently hold information on over 1600 across the three towns.
If you have a business which is listed on the site you can use the 'Login' option at the bottom of this page to access your business details. If you need help with logging in then you can use the 'Contact Us' button to the left of the screen to request assistance.
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The site is still under development so if you spot any mistakes or have any comments please use the 'contact us' form to let us know!
North Tyneside has once again scooped the most awards for its beaches than any other area in the North East.
22-MAY-13
Issued by: Laurie McCann
North Tyneside has once again scooped the most awards for its beaches than any other area in the North East.
The beaches at Tynemouth Longsands (south), King Edward's Bay and Whitley Bay (south) have earned the prestigious Blue Flag, an international award for quality.
The accolade assures the public that the beaches are among the best in Europe, recognising clean water, after rigorous testing; litter-free sands and top-notch facilities.
And as further recognition for their excellent standards, all three, as well as Cullercoats Bay, have also been granted Seaside Awards, which commend beaches that are clean and where visitors can enjoy a range of activities.
Both awards are administered in England by Keep Britain Tidy.
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and the Environment, said: "Both of these awards are extremely important to the borough, they show that residents and visitors can rely on the beaches as being clean and of an exceptional high standard.
"Our team works extremely hard to ensure they stay in the best possible condition, however it's important those who use the beach also continue to play their part.
"Visitors can make sure they take their rubbish home, use the recycling bins and respect the dog bans which operate in certain areas."
A dog ban is now in force until September 30 on Cullercoats Bay, King Edwards Bay, Whitley Bay (south) and Tynemouth Longsands (south). This means dogs are only allowed on a section of Whitley Bay beach north of Panama Gardens and at the northern end of Tynemouth Longsands.
The public are advised to follow the code of conduct, which states, please:
- Observe the safety flags and beach signage at all times
- Don't take glass onto the beach
- Do not leave litter on the beach, take your litter home with you or use the bins provided
- Take heed of dog bans
- Keep dogs on a lead on the promenades
- Do not drive on the beach - unauthorised vehicles are not permitted.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Blue Flag awards have become the definitive measure of a good beach since they began in 1987. They are based on strict criteria including good facilities and sea water clean enough to achieve the highest standard defined by European law.
- Cullercoats Bay was unable to fly the Blue Flag after its final water quality test, conducted in September 2012, revealed that although the water met the European Union imperative bathing water quality standard, it had narrowly missed the Blue Flag Guidance standard.
- The RNLI operates a lifeguard service on behalf of North Tyneside Council.
Plans for this year's Wallsend Festival are being finalised, with the Festival being held over two days for the first time.
Plans for this year's Wallsend Festival are being finalised, with the Festival being held over two days for the first time.
Organisers of the popular Wallsend Festival are delighted that this year's Festival will be a two day event. The Festival will take place over the weekend of 6 - 7th July. The Saturday will follow the familiar format within the town centre of a mixture of live music, stalls, street entertainment and other family fun. But for the first time the event will continue on the Sunday, when the focus switches to the Wallsend Green and the newly-refurbished Richardson Dees Park. The Green will have an 'olde-worlde' theme with traditional fairground rides, hog roasts and other traditional entertainment. Richardson Dees Park will host an altogether more contemporary range of attractions including skate boarding and Parkour demonstrations.
For the latest information visit the Festival's website at www.wallsendfestival.org or call 0191 643 6419
Places are still available to local entrepreneurs and retailers in North Tyneside who would like to try their hand at selling their wares at special one-off market in Whitley Bay.
9 May 2013
Issued by: Aileen Brewis
Places are still available to local entrepreneurs and retailers in North Tyneside who would like to try their hand at selling their wares at special one-off market in Whitley Bay.
The Love Your Local Market event takes place on Saturday 25 May from 10 am until 4 pm, in a marquee in the town centre, on Whitley Road.
The market – in association with the Business Factory – showcases a diverse selection of entrepreneurs and cottage industries from North Tyneside.
With prices at only 'a table for a tenner', it’s perfect for many new start-ups and small businesses to get involved in selling.
Students from local schools will be selling handmade goods and produce. Alongside the market stalls, funfair rides and performers will offer entertainment for the whole family, creating a real carnival atmosphere.
Visitors to the market will also get the chance to discover the many unique and independent shops and places to relax and play in the family-friendly town centre of Whitley Bay. The marquee will be located within easy walking distance of Whitley Bay Metro Station, or free parking is available in all council-run off-street car parks, on the day.
The market event is supported by the North Tyneside Business Factory, whose advisers will also be on hand during the day to offer support to those thinking of starting a business; plus would-be retailers will get the chance to chat to other businesses about their experiences at the market.
Cllr Frank Lott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development is fully supportive of the market. He said: "This Bank Holiday market promises to be a fantastic event. Local markets are a great place for small businesses to try out new ideas and to flourish. Several of our well-known brands started life on the markets and I know many people want to take that leap into starting their own business. By taking a stall at this market local people and small businesses can try their hand at trading whilst getting valuable support from expert advisers in an informal and fun setting."
Some tables are still available to rent. If you are a start-up or small business and would like to secure a table, email: john.fleet@northtyneside.gov.uk
or call (0191) 643 6419. You can also contact the North Tyneside Business Factory on (0191) 605 3110 or text START to 81400."
For more information about the North Tyneside Business Factory, or if you are thinking of starting your own business, visit
Ends
An enviable range of specialist help and support is now available to new businesses in North Tyneside with thanks to new services from the North Tyneside Business Factory.
25-APR-13
Issued by: Aileen Brewis
An enviable range of specialist help and support is now available to new businesses in North Tyneside with thanks to new services from the North Tyneside Business Factory.
Individuals looking to set up high growth businesses across the borough can now access the most exciting and comprehensive level of support to date from a host of experienced professionals to ensure that their business gets off to the best possible start.
In addition to the general start up advice and well attended workshops that have been accessed by more than 3,000 individuals and have helped create 500 new businesses since the project began three years ago, people looking to set up a high growth business or those who have been in such business for less than 12 months, can now access specialist sales, marketing, social media, IT and product development support.
The Business Factory, part of The Raising Enterprise North Tyneside project, funded by North Tyneside Council and ERDF, has appointed a range of experienced professionals who can now work with individuals on a one to one basis to offer hands on practical help with some of the most challenging areas of starting and succeeding in your own business.
One such new business to access specialist help is orange doodle. Orange doodle offers a range of services including branding, photography, video, web design and illustration. Launched by former Northumbria Police employee Debbie Semple in 2012, work had mainly been word of mouth, but Debbie recognised that she needed a more focused sales strategy if she was to continue to grow her business and approached The Business Factory for help.
Debbie said, "Clients were getting in touch because they had heard about me from people I had previously worked with, and whilst this gave orange doodle a great start, I knew that for the long term development of my business, I required a much more robust sales strategy. However, I needed advice in this area.
"I was introduced to Mike McMeekin, an experienced sales specialist working with The Business Factory and he offered me very practical, hands-on advice to help me identify and target the types of businesses and individuals that would be interested in my services."
Debbie put Mike's advice into action and on her very first sales call, secured a preferred supplier contract with a local printer which has led to a number of different projects.
She added: "That phone call, which Mike helped me to script, has really transformed my business as it opened up a host of new opportunities which has resulted in referrals and enabled me to work on creative briefs for a varied client base."
A qualified chartered surveyor also forms part of the new advisory team, offering advice to new businesses looking for suitable premises to ensure that they meet their needs and growth plans and that leases and other legally binding documents are fair and flexible.
In addition to the specialist professional support, help will also be available to those thinking about setting up a social enterprise. One of the fastest growing areas of business start-ups, social enterprises are often misunderstood which is why The Business Factory has appointed experienced advisers to encourage more people to consider them as a viable option and help them to understand more about the structure of such companies and offer help to access the funding routes which are available to such companies.
Paul Buie, North Tyneside Council's Head of Business and Economic Development said: "This new level of support and help will be hugely instrumental in helping business start-ups on North Tyneside to flourish and make the borough an extremely attractive place to set up in business.
"Often people have great ideas and most of the foundations in place to grow their business, but a lack of experience in areas such as sales, marketing or IT can prevent them from reaching their full potential.
"Despite having only just launched these new services, we're already seeing a huge take up which in cases like orange doodle is having an instant impact."
He added: "Specialist advice on setting up a social enterprise will be hugely welcomed as this is such a complex area, but one which can have huge benefits to both the business owner and their local community.
"We are also excited by the prospect of helping people with new product ideas or inventions to take their product to market. This is one of the most costly businesses to establish, yet the right product idea with the right level of business support can result in a hugely successful business and we would very much like such companies to be based here in North Tyneside."
The Business Factory is based in North Shields and offers free advice to anyone in North Tyneside, or planning to start a business in North Tyneside, with the aim of generating new business ideas and stimulating the growth of enterprise.
For more information on how to start your own business, contact The Business Factory on (0191) 605 3110 or info@businessfactorynt.co.uk or join us on facebook at The-Business-Factory-North-Tyneside and follow us on Twitter BizFactoryNT. Alternatively drop in at Suite 10, Saville Exchange, North Shields, NE30 ISE. If you are keen to be your own boss but need an idea for a business, visit www.businessfactorynt.co.uk where you will find hundreds of suggestions.
Further Information: The Business Factory is part of The Raising Enterprise North Tyneside project which has been financed by the European Union's ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13, which has been match-funded by North Tyneside Council. The project aims to energise and stimulate enterprise within North Tyneside. It will target individuals from the borough to consider self-employment as a viable option and help those already going down this route to progress their business further.
ENDS
Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn has pledged North Tyneside will be a council shaped by people.
08-MAY-13
Issued by: Jeanette Hedley
Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn has pledged North Tyneside will be a council shaped by people.
Listening to the borough's residents and using their views to shape decisions will be the top priority throughout her office, said Mrs Redfearn as she announced her new Cabinet.
Cabinet portfolios have been shaped by the issues that matter to local people, she said.
And Cabinet members will be visible leaders who will shape decisions, future services and policies by listening, learning and involving people in their local areas, she promised.
"I am delighted to take up the post of Elected Mayor of North Tyneside and am determined that from day one to ensure that this council is one that really cares about what people think," said Norma.
"To help me do that I have appointed a team of Cabinet members, who can work with me to ensure that we focus on the issues that matter to local people and involve our residents in decision-making.
She added: "The Cabinet members will be the people that will take the lead in working with service areas on these key areas for local people and make sure that the council works to meet local needs and achieve the best use of public money.
"They will have their ears to the ground of our communities and will work together with local people, to challenge and shape all council services to deliver the best they can for this borough.
"As Elected Mayor and Cabinet we will connect into our neighbourhoods and deliver future success in partnership with local people."
The responsibilities for the Cabinet, working alongside Elected Mayor, Norma Redfearn will be:
Norma Redfearn, Elected Mayor
- Corporate/Regional/External relations - Corporate Services
- LA7/Combined Authorities
- NELEP
- PCC
- Government and Regeneration
Councillor Bruce Pickard, Deputy Mayor
- Performance Management
- Change Efficiency Programme
- Human Resources
Councillor Ray Glindon, Cabinet Member responsible for Finance and Resources:
- Revenue and Capital Budgets and Plans
- (Balfour Beatty Partnership -all services)
- Audit and Risk Management Services (shared service with Northumberland County Council)
Councillor Frank Lott, Cabinet Member responsible for Economic Development:
- Inward Investment
- Job Creation
- Business Support
- Strategic Transport and Highways
Councillor Lesley Spillard, Cabinet Member responsible for Adult Social Care :
- Health and Well Being
- Adult Social Care
- Public Health
- Older People's Champion
Councillor John Harrison, Cabinet Member responsible for Housing and Environment:
- Housing Strategy
- Housing Revenue Account
- (Kier Joint Venture)
- Environmental Operational Services (including Fleet Management)
- Waste
- Street Lighting
- (Capital Symonds Partnership -all services)
- Emergency Response
Councillor Eddie Darke Cabinet Member responsible for Leisure, Culture and Tourism:
- Sports Provision Parks
- Cultural Facilities
- (including Playhouse Agreement)
Councillor Carole Gambling, Cabinet Member responsible for Community Engagement :
- Community Voluntary Sector
- Community Engagement
- Community Safety and Emergency Planning (community resilience role)
Councillor Ian Grayson, Cabinet Member responsible for Children, Young People and Learning :
- Schools
- Youth Provision
- Early Years
- Adult Learning and Skills
- Children's Social Care and Well Being
Councillor John Stirling, Cabinet Member responsible for Sustainable Development:
- Climate Change Strategy
- Carbon Footprint Strategy
- Biodiversity and Green Plan
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