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It may well be to do with the gravitational matrix we are entering into with our celestial alignment around winter solstice 2012, as the Mayans predicated. Whole new ball game, anyone want to fund my research a couple of million dollars will do it?

Rea, I don't know what else we can do to publicise this stuff??? We got a NPL editorial, which is ongoing, it has been talked about at the Bedlington Forum and Partnership meetings, and we put it up on this web site. I am not having a go but if there is anything else you can suggest............ The 20 acres has a restrictive covenant on the land use, that is the only reason there hasn't been any houses built there never mind anything else. As for your other question, really we short circuited the need for a survey and instead said that because there is NO provision of these facilities in the immediate area the need was clearly there. The consultants are coming up to hold talks with any possible users and we had to supply contact details for any local user groups that might use such a facility in the future. As for location and cost, these are a bit more complicated. All and any possible sites around the town are being considered and there are two groups with outline bids going into that pot. You have to realise in the current financial climate, never mind the fact that we have been on the wrong side of the tracks for 30 odd years, we are operating under very real constraints and a balance has to be found which might not tick all the boxes we hope for, but, provide us with a real possibility of actually seeing something worthwhile and effective put up. That is why we had to get independent specialists involved who will for once unequivocally answer the sorts of questions you ask. Once those questions have been answered, and no one knows which way it might go (!!!!), there should be a development plan, business plan and architectural plans to follow, they are part of the brief to these consultants.

We are talking serious capital spending here; which isn't too easily confused with the logistics of a few boxes of hamburgers. Heretical though this may sound we don't need a Tesco or an Asda. We need specialist traders who re-spend money in the town, and don't put it in a security van straight out. If you or Monsta or anyone else believe that Tesco is going to "give" us anything you are deluded. These predatory operators will always take more than they give. They also destroy existing businesses, play off smaller suppliers against each other until doing business with them becomes barely economic. All this whilst putting up the illusion that they are providing a valuable public service. Sometimes it is necessary to sup with the devil, but in doing so we need an extension to the customary long spoon. Fortunately I think most of our representatives are a little more worldly-wise than the younger element in the town, who would be easy converts to a "cargo cult" religion.

My comments were limited to the government-boot-licking upper crust at the Beeb. The guardians of our morals, and our right to be presented with a balanced view of the world. Mere mortals have had their feet on the ground for a while - just as you say. Monsta: I'd expect we should say sorry for burning up all the fossil fuels and leaving them to face the chilly British winter with only a few - by then - creaky old windmills. Still they'll be able to have a good laugh at 20th century mass-hysteria and delusion. Like everyone going to get skin cancer because they thought they'd punched a hole in the Ozone Layer, and that this wasn't part of a natural cycle. Oh and the guy who kidded everyone we were about to enter a new ice-age in order to pad his research grants. And, what short memories we all had not to realise - when just a little later - the opposite case was being promoted, for exactly the same sordid reasons - by exactly the same guy!

I am wondering what this night time economy people are talking about actually is? I presume its not just pubs and restaurants? I agree with GGG, Tesco will only every take notice of its bottom line and maintaining its market placing. Everything else is PR!

It only worked because other forces came together to make sure it worked. Unfortunately the kids came away with a simplistic view, and now think that all that's needed is a bit of popular acclaim. Tesco is going to do what Tesco is going to do. All that matters is Tesco's bottom line, and local opinion has bu&*%r all to do with that!