2020 vision for ‘Friendliest Port’s’ image
A framework for developing Amble as a thriving and vibrant coastal town over the next decade has been mapped out in a newly published report.
Partners Amble Development Trust, the Town Council, the local Business Club, and Warkworth Harbour Commissioners have outlined in the report how a new wave of regeneration proposals can be developed to take the town in a fresh direction creating jobs, businesses, tourism, marine, and leisure opportunities.
Innovative ideas are flagged up in the report for revitalising Amble’s harbour waterfront and pier; perhaps involving the local rearing of mussels and oysters; building on the town’s historic links with the fishing industry by creating a seafood centre with its own small retail units; encouraging fish and food restaurants; and planning the town’s first Puffin Festival next year.
A landmark attraction could be developed as a seabird or sealife centre linked to the unique attraction of the Coquet Island sanctuary.
The report also suggests more needs to be done to exploit Amble’s tourism potential both because of its proximity to its Northumberland’s coastal neighbours and as a specialist water sports centre and marina attracting fishing, yachting, sailing, kayaking, or kite surfing enthusiasts.
Elsewhere, there are opportunities in Amble for the opening of a small hotel, as well as encouraging digital and creative businesses to establish themselves in the town.
“Amble has achieved much in the last 20 years, but the time has come to develop a new direction for the town through until 2020. The report we have just launched begins the task of raising the issues and setting the framework for that new direction,” said Julia Aston, Director of Amble Development Trust.
The report predicts that future employment prospects now largely revolve around creating jobs and small businesses linked to tourism, including heritage interpretation, hospitality, creative and digital companies, environmental and energy industries, marine, fishing, and leisure enterprises.
It says that stronger working partnership links must be forged between the town, Northumberland County Council and its regeneration arm Arch, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, the private as well as public sectors, and the Federation of Northumberland Development Trusts, and that Amble must also tap into new funding streams in the UK and Europe to secure the resources for development of the town.
