We're all playing on the same side

Feb 2 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

RIVAL players in yesterday’s Tyne-Wear derby put their differences aside before the match to support The Journal’s efforts to help the region though the economic downturn.

Both Newcastle United and Sunderland players wore T-shirts emblazoned with a message of support to the local economy during the pre-match warm-up.

The players were to play out an entertaining 1-1 draw but the players used the warm-up as an opportunity to throw their weight behind Think North East First.

Launched on Saturday, The Journal campaign urges families and businesses to put the region’s economic well-being at the forefront of their mind.

David Williamson, operations director for Newcastle United, said: “Newcastle United are very happy to be supporting The Journal’s Think North East First campaign.”

The appeal follows on from the success of our Taste campaign, which encouraged people to “buy local, use local, eat local”.

Now we’re asking families and businesses to treat every spending occasion as an opportunity to reinvest in the region’s economy.

As well as the huge variety of home-grown products and original services in the region, there are also a number of unique and beautiful places to visit and a wealth of history and culture to explore.

The idea behind the campaign is that if we strive to buy locally, more wealth can be kept in the region and we can watch the value of every pound spent multiply.

Our backers already include Sir John Hall, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, One North East, Newcastle and Sunderland football clubs, the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Nissan, Sir Peter Vardy, Beamish, transport group Go North East, Newcastle Falcons, the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), Northumbrian Water, and outdoor clothing retailer Berghaus.

Former Newcastle United owner and prominent businessman Sir John Hall dubbed Think North East First a “clarion call” to the region.

“We need to get the spirit going again, it’s about pride,” said the MetroCentre founder, who has guided his business empire through three recessions. There’s a lack of confidence at the moment. Someone needs to bind us, and lead us out of this. Someone needs to make us feel good again.

“The Journal is leading a clarion call to the region, which we need to follow. When investors start to feel good, that’s when we will start to emerge.

“There is a difficult time ahead. The North Easterner has always had to fight, so fighting will not be a problem. We can fight for survival, it’s in us. We have that quality.”