Flood-hit Morpeth open for Sunday shopping

Nov 29 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

SHOPS in a Northumberland market town are to open for business on Sunday in the run-up to Christmas as it continues to recover from the worst flooding in its history. Traders in Morpeth are gradually getting back on their feet after dozens of them were forced to close because of the severe flooding which hit the town in September.

Starting this weekend, shops in the town centre will be open from 10.30am to 4.30pm every Sunday until Christmas in a bid to recover trade lost in the wake of the River Wansbeck bursting its banks.

In the historic Town Hall – which is temporarily home to 55 micro-businesses forced out of the Chantry building by the flooding – shoppers can also call in to buy crafts, artwork and treats such as chocolate and cakes.

Dawn Goodwill-Evans, tourism and culture manager with Castle Morpeth Borough Council, said: “There is plenty to see and do in Morpeth this Christmas, with Sunday shopping just one of the many bonuses.

“We need to support our local businesses at this time and what better way to do so than by taking advantage of the wide range of unique crafts, art and unusual Christmas gifts on offer.”

Department store boss Richard Rutherford said: “We hope that customers enjoy these extended opening hours and make the most of Morpeth’s varied shops and Christmas presents.”

Meanwhile, Geoff Hodgson, chairman of the North East Tourism Advisory Board, has visited Morpeth to talk to flood-hit businesses and find out how they are recovering.

They have been able to apply for financial help through a flood relief package available through the North East England Investment Centre, which is distributing £500,000 funding supplied by One North East. In Morpeth, more than £100,000 of the rapid recovery finance has so far been awarded to help 54 businesses with recovery costs.

Mr Hodgson said: “It was amazing to see the progress which has been made in Morpeth in such a short time. It is a credit to the businesses themselves, as well as the organisations who have been helping them to get back on their feet. Tourism is worth £4bn to the region’s economy, so it is vitally important that businesses devastated by the floods are given all the support they need.”

Businesses have also been able to take advantage of free consultancy offered by Northumberland Tourism to enable them to get fit for action again.