Andy Millne

You are missing the point Monsta. Both Subway and McDonalds are franchises and the OP obviously thinks there is a market for it in Bedlington. Whether the chains would agree to sell a franchise because of territory positioning (or if one of the existing franchise territories already includes Bedlington) is another matter, but if somebody with the right entrepreneurial flair convinced them they could run it profitably then it wouldn't be a pipe dream. Saying there are too few people to use them is nonsense.

Possibly not McDonalds due the seating requirements but certainly a subway. I agree that McDonalds is probably a non starter but not for your reasons given. Both your statements here as to why are completely false. Firstly McDonalds use a huge variety of signage to satisfy local planning conditions. There are any amount of options here, even a typically lit "halo lit" style McDonalds sign would be well within planning conditions. Too near residential domains? Says who? Yes change of use would have to be applied for in a number of instances but would not simply be refused for the reasons you have stated.

I will be chatting with the headmaster of St Benet Biscop next week. I'll make sure to pass on your comments 3G

Is there no appeal process? It sounds like you have genuine grounds for appeal there and I certainly wouldn't be throwing more money at Microsoft to fix the problem if that's the case. Are the hard drives not just an optional additional storage addon and not physically required for the machine to work. If that's the case it's probably easy enough to format the drive to make sure it's clean of anything that may be on it.

Hi Rea welcome to the site. There's two recent discussion topics on this. here... http://www.bedlington.co.uk/community/topic/2230-red-lion-planning-notice/ and here... http://www.bedlington.co.uk/community/topic/2568-red-lion-restaurant/ The second link contains the most up to date information.

Think Neil will have an answer for this one.

Maybe it's so they can get served by their friends and get free happy meals. McDonalds and Subway are franchises though Jason, if you think there is a market why not get proactive and do it yourself? You've obviously got at least some ambition by the fact you're posting here about it.

It's not a shortage of fast food it's a shortage of "brand names" across all retail. In the past these probably would have been seen as a bad thing and a sure fire way of putting the independants out of business. That's not an issue anymore as they've kind of done that for themselves. The trouble is now we have a chicken and egg problem.

pm sent

Got one ready just need to put it up somewhere with a reasonably reliable internet connection.

Go on then if you insist.

Happy new year everyone.

It's just some temporary signage for the minute.

Yep! where do you want your mousemat delivered? PM me info.

A free mouse mat to the first person that mentions the new feature on the front street in this topic

My main query surrounds the section up Church Lane. That road is already quite awkward by car so would the footpath be widened? what about the section on the corner of the old school where the footpath tapers down to practically nothing?

Yeah the 3D is extremely good as well for the most part. Although still very watchable it's a little awkward to focus on some of the really fast moving action but the slow camera pans are amazing!

What do you mean by playground stuff for the littlies? I can't think of what is currently there in the small playground area but is that more aimed at older kids than you had in mind? The work on the cycle track is completely seperate to the park itself but there is quite an active group campaigning for more facilities at Gallagher Park. http://friendsofgallagherpark.ning.com/

Anybody else been to see this yet? If you haven't it's definately worth considering, simply outstanding! Being a bit picky but some of the fill in plant life in some of the jungle scenes was a bit "rigid" and if you're a picky perfectionist like me you notice it. In some places there was a bit of a sense of 3d effect for 3d effects sake as well but I'd still give it best movie experience of all time.

I've just posted an article with a detailed route map to the news pages. http://www.bedlington.co.uk/2009/12/new-cycle-routes-for-bedlington/ Bedlington.co.uk members will be given the opportunity in the new year to have a say in the how the later stages will progress.