A TOWN which was branded “a dump” by a leading councillor should use the negative publicity as motivation to drive forward improvement plans, a regeneration group has claimed.

People, businesses and community organisations in Blyth have been urged to put Jeff Reid’s “embarrassing” comments behind them, and pull together for the good and future prosperity of the town.

The rallying cry has been made by local businessman Steven Bradley who chairs the Blyth Town Team – a partnership organisation which has attracted £10,000 in Government funding to help rejuvenate the port community.

Last week Coun Reid, leader of Northumberland County Council, sparked an outcry after saying he travels to Cramlington to shop because his home town of Blyth is “a dump”.

He later admitted his comments, made to a business forum, had been a mistake, and said he had been trying to explain the difficulties his community is facing.

Now Mr Bradley, who runs Widescope Web Design in Blyth, says the negative publicity generated by the row is in danger of overshadowing the good work being done in the town, and the efforts of the Town Team.

He says it should now be seen as an opportunity to push forward plans to restore pride in the town.

“It has all been very, very negative and the comments were taken badly, especially by local businesses,” he said. “However, I’m hoping we will be able to get something out of this because it has started a debate and brought people out of the woodwork with ideas and offers of help. A lot of people have been in touch to say they would like to get involved with the Town Team or made suggestions about what needs to be done in Blyth. It has also opened doors to meetings with Jeff Reid and other local councillors.

“It affected morale, especially coming from someone who represents us on the council.

“However, everyone makes mistakes and it is about how they react afterwards.

“As a person who has lived in Blyth my entire life, and who works in the town, I am sick of hearing about Blyth in a negative light, without serious solutions being put forward as a response. It’s time to pull together and have some serious conversations about the future of Blyth.”

Mr Bradley said the town should take pride in the recent success of Blyth Town FC winning the £100,000 first prize in a national community football competition, and fundraising efforts by local charities to support the work of volunteers running community centres, leisure facilities, dance groups and sports clubs.

The Town Team’s work will include helping to create a definitive database of local shops and businesses and a survey to find out the concerns of businesses, community groups and charities. As well as boosting trade and business in Blyth, it also aims to support projects to improve local community.