Sound as a pound

Nov 3 2007 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

MORE restaurants have signed up to a Journal-backed campaign to raise money for homeless people in the North-East this year than ever before.

For the next two months, Streetsmart will ask restaurant diners to add a pound to their bill – money that will go directly towards helping the homeless.

In just 10 years, the national charity has raised £2.7m across the UK.

A total of 40 restaurants have agreed to take part in this year’s North-East campaign.

Last year, with 31 restaurants taking part, the charity raised upwards of £8,500 and it is thought the figure will be significantly higher this year.

Speaking at the launch at Jesmond’s Louis restaurant, Polly Sutherland, campaign manager for Streetsmart in the North-East, said she expected a positive response from restaurant-goers.

“People in Newcastle are very generous,” she said. “It’s a very simple thing – adding one pound to the bill.

“About 80% of people go along with that very simple and effective idea.

“With the amount of restaurants who have signed up, I fully expect us to beat last year’s total.”

Among the restaurants taking part in the drive are Louis in Jesmond, Est Est Est on Newcastle quayside and Scalini’s in Gosforth.

The waiter or waitress will give each table the option of adding a pound to their bill when diners finish their meals.

Ms Sutherland said: “The money goes entirely to homeless people in the North-East and there is as strong a need for the money now as ever.

“We will visit all homeless charities and after a lot of thought, the money will be spread out.”

One of the bodies to have benefited from the charity’s work is Byker Bridge Housing Association – which is currently constructing a new hostel for the homeless on Wilfred Street in Byker.

Their fund raising officer, Louise Marsh, believes the work of Streetsmart is invaluable. She said: “We used the money from last year to buy homeless people a kit containing a sleeping bag, jogging bottoms, jackets, socks, hats, scarfs and gloves.

“Without Streetsmart, we wouldn’t be able to carry this kind of work out.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea. This money is going to have a massive impact on homeless people’s lives up here.”

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Restaurants taking part

Henris, Morpeth

Black Door, Newcastle

Black Door Brasserie, Newcastle

The Comfort Food Company, Newcastle

Comfort at Meldon Park, Morpeth

Est Est Est, Newcastle

Secco, Newcastle

El Torero, Newcastle

The Living Room, Newcastle

Bays Bistro, Whitley Bay

Sky Apple Cafe, Heaton

The Cook and Barker, Morpeth

Marks and Spencer's Restaurant, Newcastle

Louis, Jesmond

Scalini's, Gosforth

New Northumbria Hotel, Jesmond

Jordans, Ryton

Eslington Villa Hotel, Gateshead

Cafe Bar One, Newcastle

The Open Kitchen, Gosforth

As You Like It, Jesmond

@Bangkok Cafe, Newcastle

The Cruise Brasserie, Marriott Hotel, Durham

Royal County, Marriott Hotel, Durham

La Toscana Ristorante, Newcastle

McCoys, Gateshead

Cafe 21, Newcastle

Paradiso, Newcastle

Prickly Pear, Newcastle

Tankerville Arms, Wooler, Northumberland

Park Restaurant, Newcastle Marriott Hotel

Blackfriars, Newcastle

Barluga, Newcastle

Fisherman's Lodge, Jesmond Dene

Emilio's, Newcastle

Sachin's, Newcastle

Sabatini's, Newcastle

Jesmond Dene House

Daraz, Jesmond

Milan Restaurant, Wooler