Life in North Shields
IT’S a town with “working-class charm” and “rough around the edges” but all that could be about to change.
North Shields is known for its bustling Fish Quay with restaurants and bars that have made it a destination for revellers across the region.
The town also has a busy centre with a range of chain and independent retailers.
But massive change could be coming after councillors voted to start a consultation which could result in a huge regeneration of the area.
North Tyneside Council wants to combine living, working and retail and transform the town centre into a familyfriendly destination as well as connecting it to an increasingly vibrant Fish Quay.
The Chronicle went out to speak with people who live and work in North Shields to find out what they really think of the town.
Tom Harvey, 32, said there is a good mix of shops, including large supermarkets and smaller independent retailers.
He said: “For me the town centre has everything you’ll generally need.
“A good mix of very affordable everyday shops to larger supermarkets as well as local independent bakers such as Canatrice which are harder to find these days.
“The place as a whole has that working-class charm which at times seems rough around the edges but I enjoy that aspect and the residents for the most part are friendly and authentic.”
Mr Harvey also pointed to the Fish Quay and its “beautiful” buildings.
He added: “Also, you can’t complain about living five minutes from the Fish Quay, plenty of good places to eat and drink nestled among some really beautiful centuries old buildings, which echo its fishing town heritage.”
James Whinham, 17, who owns Stadium Collectibles, on Saville Street, paid tribute to the people of the town.
He said: “Most of the people are quite nice round here, most of them are nice working-class people.”
But his dad Paul, 70, said the area around the shop attracts people with drug problems.
He added: “At one time North Shields was a thriving community and you had 200 or 300 trawlers in the Fish Quay in the morning but now you just have the skeleton amount of trawlers.
“My son doesn’t have to pay business rates and it is a busy shopping area. The problem is people with drug problems congregate on this street.
“The Government needs to spend more money on dealing with the underlying problems.”
Joan Ablett, 59, praised the town for its diversity but said she would like to see some of the empty shops filling up.
She said: “North Shields is a vibrant and diverse place, you never know what you’re going to see, it is a mixture of everything.
“I would like to see the empty shops rented out. It doesn’t look good when you go to a town and you see empty shops.”
Michelle Hay, who runs Mother Nature, on Railway Street, was also full of praise for the town saying there is nowhere else like it.
She said: “This shop has been here in the town since 1986 and we know most of the customers.
“Its a good place to be an independent business our customers come in to tell how valued you we are and it is lovely. There is nothing like North Shields.”
Lauren Rootes, 22, said she would like to see more upkeep on the town’s buildings.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, it’s a small, dainty town. It maybe needs some repairs on the older buildings.”
Michael Driver, 24, added: “It’s a great area, it is a nice, family-orientated town and I am happy with the way the town is, it’s nice.”