Hexham residents invited to ‘Hub’ showcase event

11 Mar 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Hexham residents will have an opportunity to find out more about future plans for the town, and have their say, at an event on Saturday 23 March.

The Hexham Hub is a recently formed partnership between Northumberland County Council, Hexham Town Council, Hexham Community Partnership, Advance Northumberland and other stakeholders in the town.

It aims to oversee how Hexham develops over the coming years, and wants local people to have opportunities to be involved in the future of their town.

This showcase event will be held in the Great Hall at Hexham Abbey from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 23 March, and everyone is welcome to drop in at any time.

Stands at the event will show recent successful projects in Hexham; plans for two new schools; refurbishment work at Wentworth Leisure Centre; and a summary of the work so far on a project aimed at improving the Market Place.

Developers will also be there to talk about their plans for some key sites in the town - the ‘Bunker site’ on Alemouth Road; the old Hexham Swimming Pool site on Gilesgate; and the old Workhouse and adjacent site on Corbridge Road.

Those attending will be able to find out more about the new movement ‘Discover our Land’, which aims to share and celebrate everything that is great about Northumberland, for those who want to invest, live, work or visit the county.

A stand about the Produced in Northumberland scheme will also be there to provide information on how to find out more about the food and drink you can enjoy which has come straight from this brilliant county.

The Hexham Hub initiative was instigated by Northumberland County Council as part of its countywide scheme to provide forums in town centres, with similar ventures started in Alnwick, Ashington, Berwick, Blyth and Morpeth.

Each have aims tailored to their town, with the Hexham Hub wishing to:

• Bring together strategic partners to ensure a cohesive approach to the development, prosperity and community of the town;
• Strive for a thriving retail, business, living, tourist and evening economy; and
• Respect and uphold the town's history and heritage, and its neighbourhood plan as it develops.

County Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “I’m delighted that the work of the Hexham Hub is getting underway, and it is holding the first event where members of the community can come along and find out more.

“The county and town councils, the community partnership, Advance and other stakeholders will work together through this new hub to ensure a joined-up approach to the future prosperity of the town.  As with other town groups we want local people to be involved and have their say on the future of their town and this will be a key element as we go forward.”

County Councillor Cath Homer said: “I'm delighted to launch the Hexham Hub and to showcase some of the exciting developments that we and our partners have planned for our town in the near future."

Bob Hull, deputy mayor of Hexham, added: “The town council is pleased to be working with the county council, the community partnership and other key stakeholders in Hexham, to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for our town.”