Civic pride begins with town centre action

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District and other public sector partners are working together to deliver co-ordinated events and activities during October half-term.

The campaign is led by the council and marks the launch of ‘Civic Pride in Newcastle-under-Lyme’, #prideinNUL, an ongoing scheme spearheaded by Council Leader Simon Tagg to boost pride in areas across the borough and to strengthen its reputation as a place which is clean, safe and friendly.

The action begins on Saturday, 26 October with Castle Classics, a new retro and classic vehicle show organised by Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District (BID), with support from the council’s markets team and blogger The Red Haired Stokie.

Alongside a fantastic display of cars, DJs will play nostalgic hits. Street food will be available and visitors are also encouraged to support local businesses. Admission to the event, which takes place in the Ironmarket from 10am to 4pm, is free.

A town centre litter pick is planned for Wednesday (30th), from noon, involving staff from the council, BID and Aspire Housing who meet at the Guildhall. A civic pride walkabout at the same time on Friday focuses on outlying areas of the town centre. And the council’s rangers are doing daily clean-ups and working with businesses to improve areas.

The BID is setting up a pumpkin patch in their pop-up park, opposite the Guildhall, where youngsters can pick a pumpkin, decorate it and enter spooky competitions.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said:

The launch of Civic Pride is a response to concerns expressed by residents about safety and cleanliness in the borough. It captures a lot of work that already goes on by partners under a unified #prideinNUL badge and is also a call to arms for everyone – young and old to play their part.

 

A week of collaborative action in Newcastle town centre, starts on Saturday with the first Castle Classics car show which promises to be another great family day out in our ever-expanding calendar of events.

 

This is the beginning of a long-term programme intending to make a positive difference across the whole borough – not just the town centre – by helping to create a strong sense of belonging to, and pride in, our fantastic town of Newcastle-under-Lyme; much like our 850th anniversary celebrations did last year.

 

While many of the services involved are provided on a regular basis, delivering them in a co-ordinated way through close partnership working means that we are able to make a greater impact on the look and feel of the town centre for residents, shoppers and visitors.”

Charl Pearce, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Manager, said:

The BID is looking forward to being part of Civic Pride campaign, which brings together key partners and the local community to enhance our town centre. Events like Castle Classics, combined with family friendly activities like the pumpkin patch and litter picking initiatives are helping to create a vibrant, welcoming environment. By encouraging everyone to get involved, we're building a stronger connection with Newcastle-under-Lyme and supporting our local businesses.”

Regular patrols are being carried out by the council officers to help enforce a public space protection order – which enables police officers to remove troublemakers – and officers will visit businesses to ensure trade waste compliance.

The safe space – opposite Café Nero – is open during weekdays to promote women’s safety. Visitors can get their bikes security marked on Wednesday (30th), thanks to Staffordshire Police, and the Department for Work and Pensions is providing training and work advice for young people on Friday (1st) from 1pm to 3pm.

Meanwhile, youth workers are engaging with young people who may benefit from diversionary activities at youth clubs in Chesterton and Kidsgrove.

A mobile police station is available in the Ironmarket, Monday to Friday, where residents and businesses can engage with local officers and speak to them about their concerns.

Cllr. Gill Heesom, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Wellbeing, added:

We’ve made great progress against our priority to create healthy, active and safe communities through things like improving local environmental quality, tackling anti-social behaviour and helping to reduce the perception of the fear of crime.

 

Bringing multi-agency partners together like this on a regular basis, and involving businesses and residents, will help us to make places like Newcastle town centre feel even cleaner, safer and more welcoming.”

Aspire Housing’s money advice team, and Potteries Moneywise, are available at the Guildhall on Tuesday and Thursday (29th and 31st), from 9.30am to 1pm, to offer help with benefits, managing debts, budgeting and energy advice.

Aspire customers – or anyone who lives in the ST5 or ST7 areas – can receive guidance about employment, training and volunteering, CV writing, job search and mental health support  at the Workshop, in Lancaster Building, on the same days and times.

There is a market on The Stones on most days as usual. On Saturday’s general market, which supports the first Castle Classics event, a fire engine will be stationed in Hassell Street where fire service colleagues will raise awareness about seasonal fire safety.

Children can enjoy a variety of free and low-cost activities at Newcastle Library throughout half-term, including story-time and hat-making sessions in honour of the borough’s heritage.