Sir John Hall brought in to revitalise his home town
Sir John Hall has been brought in to head-up an action group to help revitalise Ashington High Street
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Sir John Hall: "This is my home"
Sir John Hall, one of the region's best-known businessmen, is returning to his home town to try and revamp the high street.
The businessman hails from Ashington and says that he is delighted to be sharing his expertise back on home turf.
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Leading entrepreneur to revamp Ashington high street
One of the region's best-known businessmen Sir John Hall is returning to his home town to try and revamp the high street.
Sir John Hall, perhaps best known for being the man behind the Metro Centre, is spearheading an action group that is looking at ways to improve business and trade in Ashington.
The group was formed after a government report was published into failing high streets across the country.
– Sir John Hall"It is well known that I was born, lived, and brought up in North Seaton, part of Ashington.
It is also well-documented that my early vision of the Metro Centre was based on my knowledge, liking and experience of the range of available retail shopping on Station Road, Ashington.
To be given the opportunity to return to my hometown and be directly involved in working with others to affect real positive change and improvement in Ashington was too good a chance to miss and I intend to give it my very best shot."
Man hospitalised in suspected arson attack
A man has been taken to hospital after a suspected arson attack in Northumberland.
The emergency services were called to Sycamore Street in Ashington at about 2.50 am.
The 24 year old man was treated for suspected smoke inhalation.
Witness appeal after dogs shot in Ashington
Police are appealing for witnesses after two dogs were found with serious injuries in Ashington.
The two dogs were found injured on an allotment behind Woodhorn Road, overnight between November 5th and 6th.
It is now believed that the two dogs were shot with a shotgun - both are now recovering.
Police are now trying to trace the person responsible for the attacks.
– Ashington Neighbourhood Inspector Barrie Joisce"While this was a distressing incident I'd like to reassure the public that investigations are ongoing into who did this. There is nothing to suggest the wider public are at any risk."
Man 'in critical condition' after Ashington stabbing
Police were called to the address in Ashington in the early hours of this morning, where they found the 20-year-old man with stab wound to the chest.
Three people have since been arrested on suspicion of wounding, and police are appealing for information about the incident.
The man is reported to be a in a critical but stable condition.
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Remploy workers strike
Remploy workers in the region are striking in protest over the closure of 27 factories including those in Ashington, Newcastle and Spennymoor.
The company provides work for people with disabilities.
A Remploy spokesman said they are concerned that industrial action could deter possible buyers and current contracts at other sites.
Remploy workers march to London
Remploy workers from our region are joining a march in London to lobby parliament against the closure of Remploy factories. Demonstrations are taking place across the country.
– Kevin Hepworth, Unite Officer with responsibility for Remploy"We have received a huge number of telephone calls from disabled people who are concerned that their family members and members of their community will be denied this type of support in the future. We call on the government to honour the commitment given less than a year ago that no disabled worker would be made compulsory redundant in Remploy."
Remploy employs disabled people. 36 of the 54 Remploy sites are set to close this summer with compulsory redundancies for 1,752 people, of these 1,518 are disabled. The remaining 18 sites will close soon after.
Sites at Ashington, Cleator Moor, Gateshead, Newcastle and Spennymoor are under threat.
Diabetes awareness roadshow in Northumberland
People in Northumberland are being offered free testing for their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at a healthy lifestyle roadshow.
Diabetes UK, will visit Ashington on May 9, to offer risk assessments which show if people are likely to develop the condition because of their lifestyle and diet.
The charity estimates 4,300 people have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes in Northumberland. The roadshow will highlight the risk factors and encourage members of the public to make lifestyle changes.
For more information visit the Diabetes UK website.
Cannabis farm discovered
Police have discovered a cannabis farm in Northumberland.
Hundreds of plants and growing equipment were found at a house in Maple Street in Ashington on Thursday.
Police say the plants have a street value of hundreds of thousands of pounds and officers are trying to trace those who set up the farm.
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