A new programme has been approved to help reinvigorate Ashington town centre. 
 

The Council’s Cabinet gave the green light to the Ashington High Street Innovation Programme which will see a range of projects delivered in the town over the coming months, worth over £2.3m. 
 

Around £1.9m of the funding was secured in a successful bid to the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) Towns and High Streets Programme, which identified Ashington as one of three centres that would benefit from targeted funding to support innovative projects aimed at revitalising the town centre and high street. 
 

The three key projects are: 

Public Realm Improvements and Connectivity – to make it easier for pedestrians to navigate around the town and create attractive and greener routes to key destinations. 
 

This will include creating a more visible access to bring visitors through to Portland Park and connecting this area with the high street. The area will be remodelled to create an attractive and welcoming gateway to leisure and retail in the north east of the town centre. 
 

There’ll also be improvements to signage and the look and feel of Station Road West and the town centre with new planting and street furniture.
 

Animating Ashington – this project will deliver a programme of cultural and heritage inspired events based on colour and animation. This will improve the town’s current cultural offer including a programme of events throughout the year and activities could include festivals, makers, craft and lifestyle markets.  
 

A creative team will be commissioned to work with residents, schools and local businesses and develop and deliver the cultural programme. 
 

The Accelerate Ashington Business Support Programme - this will be delivered by Advance Northumberland, providing a support service to a range of businesses and individuals looking to grow or create new businesses within the town and in particular the centre.  
 

The aim is to develop an increased sense of pride and community across the town, demonstrating to local business owners how they can, and do, positively contribute to the overall success of Ashington and can continue to do so in the future. 
 

Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet member for Business, said: “This is great news for the town and the programme will bring a diverse range of improvements, from physical work to make it easier and more pleasant to get around the centre to cultural and business projects. 
 

“We are awaiting the outcome of a significant bid to Government for transformational improvements to the town centre, and with the Northumberland Line also coming to the town, it is a very positive future for the town.” 
 

John Johnston, Chair of Ashington Town Board and Chief Executive of Bernicia, said: “Ashington Town Board brings business, public and community sector partners together and this initiative will support our Ashington Investment Plan priorities to grow, renew and connect the town.
 

“It will have a real impact on making Ashington a great place to live, work and visit.  We are keen to continue to strive for further economic growth opportunities for the town and hope that initiatives such as this programme and the Northumberland Line will act as the catalyst for growth."  
 

Cllr Carl Johnson, North of Tyne Cabinet Member for Investment and Resources and Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside Council added: “It’s time for us to scale up.  We must take charge of the economic rebound for our region. 
 

“That means investing more in local projects and communities; the places, people and businesses that are our life blood. 
 

“This plan for Ashington shows our commitment to making positive change were it matters most, in our towns and in our people.”