Blyth Town Council Covid-19 update

Small businesses cannot survive on announcements

I run a small model shop here in Blyth. We benefit from the small business exemption, and so after the exemption is applied pay no business rates.

As the corona virus started to get a hold, we noticed that we were getting fewer customers, and with this week's announcement we have closed the shop to the public.

The budget announcement of grants to businesses such as ourselves was welcome, and with the thought of financial help we accepted the inevitable. This was further reinforced by the chancellors subsequent announcements.

We will continue to provide a very limited on-line business, but we are a small, local, business, and we are now in real danger of going under. The grant will make the difference between closure and survival.

However, we have had no news, no correspondence from government or Northumberland County Council.

I appreciate that we are one small business in the county, country and international scheme of things, but we cannot survive on announcements.

Blyth Town Council , Meetings for March

As far as I'm aware there are no meetings scheduled for March at Blyth Town Council

I'll try to post details of any that arise in the meantime

Blyth Town Council - February meetings

I think that there are only two meetings at Blyth Town Council scheduled for Febrary.

They are at Arms Evertyne House, starting at 6:30 pm


Community Funding sub-committee    Tuesday 4th February 

Community Development Committee    Tuesday 18th February 


I understand that there are no meetings scheduled for March

South Newsham Road roadworks in February

Northumberland County Council have publicised the following road closure:

A1061, B1523 South Newsham Road Blyth

The road closure has been requested by TMS Ltd on behalf of Network Rail for level crossing works. The closure is from 22/02/2020 to 23/02/2020. 

It is expected that the road will be closed from 22:00 on 22/02/2020 to 08:00 on 23/02/2020. No access will be available. There are several alternative routes depending on your destination. 

Details of the disruption can be viewed here https://one.network/?tm=116029940   

Meetings of Blyth Town Council, January 2020

I think that here are only three meetings scheduled for January. They are:-

Tuesday 7th January   Governance Committee 

Thursday 16th January,  Full Council (* ) 

Thursday 30th January,  Environment Committee 

All meetings are at Arms Evertyne Huse, and start at 6:30 pm 

(*) Preceded by Question Time 

The allegorical golf club

Once upon a time Fred was a member of a golf club. He got all the benefits of membership, subsidised meals, cheap golf, discounts in the club shop, parking closer to the clubhouse and access to changing rooms etc. One year he thought, it’s costing me money every year to be a member, I think I’ll leave and save the membership money.

After he left he went to his old club for a game of golf. He had to park further away from the clubhouse, but that was no problem. He had to pay full non members rate for a round, and then only on days when he could get a day rate. He had to change in his car, but that wasn’t a great problem.

He wondered why members of the club were a bit sniffy to him, and why he had to drink alone in the guests lounge. They reminded him that he could only play at the club, as a non member a limited number of times a year. His former friends and fellow members talked about the things that we going ahead at the club - but reminded him that he couldn’t have a say at the AGM or benefit from them.

He had to pay full price in the golf pro’s shop, and if he could get access to the dining room he had to pay full price.

He tried another golf club, but they wouldn’t let him have a round as they only let members of the club, and other clubs in most days, but he could come back next Tuesday before 9 and have to be off the course before 12. And pay full rate for his golf.

So remember, being a member of something might cost money, but the benefits often outweigh the negatives.