Traders paint the town Blue

Traders from Whitley Bay have been out with their paintbrushes in support of Whitley Bay Football Club, who are playing at Wembley on the 10^th May in the FA Vase Final.

 

As soon as the decision was made at the last Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade meeting plans were quickly afoot to let the team know the strength of support they could expect from local businesses.

 

T & G Allan, recently boarded up after its closure, left a blank canvas on which a huge message of support could be given. This prompted a group of traders and their families to don overalls last Sunday, forsaking their day off, and set about transforming the front of the shop to a giant wall of blue & white stripes. A further addition in the form of signage will be in place by the end of this week, sponsored by North Tyneside Council.

 

Paint was donated after a kind offer by Chamber member and local businessman Michael Finlay of Finlay’s Décor on Park View who rolled up his sleeves along with Vice Chair Karen Goldfinch of Made to Treasure, Mike Leydon, Rachel Lambert and their 6 year old daughter Maya from Blue Papaya, Vikki Milne owner of Blueberry Square and a whole host of kind volunteers.

 

T & G Allan agreed to let the hoarding to be painted, and quickly responded to get things moving as soon as possible. There was no shortage of help and encouragement from passers-by and even a local police officer stopped by to ensure fair play. Many members of the public commented on the difference it would make to the town and congratulated all those involved with the ‘installation’.

 

Other businesses in the town are showing their involvement by dressing their windows in the team colours, and the Whitley Bay Football Club sales trailer will be available in the town selling replica strips, tickets for Wembley and WBFC memorabilia.

Chairman of Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade, Bill Midgley said:

"The whole process is an example of what can be achieved when Whitley Bay businesses work together to make the Town more attractive and build on the successes achieved. Partnership between business and other organisations is an essential way forward in developing the appeal of the Town.
The efforts of the Whitley Bay F.C. are a tremendous opportunity to remind people that
the Town is alive and has much to offer."

 

Karen Goldfinch the Vice Chair and, since Sunday, Urban Artist added:

"This is a huge success for Whitley Bay FC and as a town we should be very proud of them, showing our support goes without question. The Chamber of Trade only met last week, elected new officers, and also managed to pull this together in a couple of days.

It’s good to be uniting on this, and getting results from joining forces – I’m sure Whitley Bay FC will do their very best to bring a trophy back home. They certainly deserve a Wembley victory."