Hillbilly

I'd rather have snow as the bloody misery we've had this weekend... did it stop raining for more than 30 mins at any point!!?

Hmm... so what is actually happening with Netto then. Have we been able to establish that Asda have DEFINATELY bought it? If so, what are their plans... they must have some if they have handed out notices to staff!? Also, does anyone know the outcome of the review that happened on the 16th in relation to the new Tesco yet??

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/04/bedlington-terriers-billionaire-investor

http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/11/10/northumberland-supermarket-plans-set-to-be-approved-51140-27631996/

I registered on the portal a few weeks back and received a letter earlier this week saying that the planning permission will be heard on Tuesday 16th... so a decision should be imminent!

Maybe the fact that we are talking about the place closing before it opens is the reason that no-one invests in Bedlington... just a thought!

Well ladies and gents... I guess time will tell after the crack the seal on Tuesday. While we are all entitled to our views, I'd just like to make the observation that Wetherspoons is a VERY successful business and I am sure they have some very clever people who have spent a long time deliberating over this investment, which must have been significant. They must be convinced the demographics work and they must be confident that the numbers stack up otherwise lets face it, I am sure there are 1000 other run down pubs across the land that they could have pumped their cash into. I say good look to them and if the place ends up as a family type pub/ bar... so be it! I for one will be sampling their grub and beer my earliest possible convenience!

Thought I'd give this one a bump... as it has had 400 views!! There must be a picture of storeys buildings somewhere... I have a challenge for you all, can anyone find it??

Great picture Barton Rafie... bet there aren't too many pics of choppington station still knocking around - what a find!! Thanks and keep them coming!!

Tenner says it's another nursing home!

Malcolm, I saw the plans on the planning portal a couple of months ago... were these approved? Any dates etc would be of interest as Monsta points out... and no Monsta, I have no idea about the old Terrier site. I noticed the roof is completely gone from Elliots... PLEASE tell me they aren't going to leave the place like that... it was already an eye sore. It looks like a bloody bomb site now!

Thought I'd give this one a bump and ask if anyone has any more info on whether or not the new store is actually going to happen???

Bins being emptied... please don't get me warmed up on that one!! We pay as much council tax as some of the counties best looked after areas in the county and the bin men won't bend down to pick a bin bag up off the floor!!!

I have to say... I think all this talk of backstabbers and having a prefered option here is a little short sighted. This thread was originally started over 14 months ago and things move on. Surely if Ultra and/ or Koast want to set up we should extend them the same enthusaistic support that we have to John W. SNRG... isn't that only fair?! I have chipped in here before and supported the concept of setting up a radio station in Bedlington... but the nature of free commerce surely means that if ideas are put out there and not capitalised on quickly enough... some one will always come along with another variant of the idea and fill the void. Good luck to all 3 of you... may the best man (or woman) win!

STOP PRESS... WHATS THIS??.... Scaffolding up at the front of Elliots Garage!??? Any one know what the crack is??

Ain't that the truth!!

Merlin - I completely understand your point and I have to say I agree!! I also know from many of your previous posts that you are absolutely not against development. I too wish they'd gone for something more sympathetic to the street, but at the end of the day, 'JR and Bobby' et al are only interested in the profit margin they can generate from these sorts of things. So, I guess we are all in a position whereby we can adopt the changes or sit by while the sites simply get worse and worse as the type of development you mention is more expensive to build and will generate less in the final calculations.

Malcolm - The sad thing is about 50% of the people reading this thread will probably think you simply found a picture of two random cowboys having an argument... sadly, I am old enough to know exactly who they are!

Merlin - I think this is a great debate and one where there probably is a good case to argue on both sides... And I do understand both sides of the arguement, but the harsh reality of the situation is that no one has been prepared to redevelop these buildings into anything else. Goodness knows they have had enough time to put forward their arguments and business cases - How long has Elliots and the Old School been empty? I would like to see the character of the town conserved for my kids and future generations as much as the next man... And I think that the Tesco and Wetherspoons developments are certainly doing so. However, I fear that our options beyond this (Elliots, Old School etc) are either to go with the flow and accept the changes, or, see the town deteriate further. We may not consider the developments to be the 'ideal' outcome for the town, but I have to say, it's better than letting those places stand empty and rot and decaying so that they ultimtely end up being demolished as they become a danger to the public. There are many examples of where new and old developments have worked together and I think Bedlington could be another. I for one welcome the development, progress and the systematic re-generation of what we have to acknowledge was becoming a dump of a town! As for Burger King/ Asda etc, I have learned that when it comes to this subject, there are more rumours than truth in peoples conversations... we will have to wait and see.

After years of our town going down hill, dare we begin to be just a little bit optimistic about the prospects of Bedders!? We have Wetherspoons working like Trojans to get the Red Lion open for November, Tesco have submitted their plans to transform the marketplace (Although I don't know the outcome of the application!) and now there are rumours that Elliot's Garage may well be a target for re-development at long last. I also think something may be happening at the Dun Cow! Hooray for Wetherspoons, Tesco and whoever is looking at Elliot's! The question is... why all of a sudden does little old Bedders appear so attractive to everyone!? Just curious!? Do they know something we don't???

Aye... I had a cheeky look through the window and they have absolutely gutted the place. Most of the walls are back to bare brick as you say toffo. All praise to J D Wetherspoons for saving the place from the same fate as Elliot's Garage - an eternity of decay and stupid debates with the coonsel over whether or not redeveloment will ruin the view of the street!! I for one will be rewarding Wetherspoons with my regular custom. Although I do suspect that I will be weighing in at around 25st by summer 2011 as a result!!

Any news on an opening date... I bet I will be the first to sample the cooked brekkie!!

When do we find out if it has the go ahead or not?? I agree Neil... the sooner the better!!