Northumberland County Council has secured a £9 million funding boost to drive forward regeneration projects in seven towns across the region.

The County Council's Cabinet has approved a Town Centre Transformation Package, which is part of the wider £21 million Borderlands Place Programme, aimed at rejuvenating town centres and improving local communities.

Of the £9 million allocated, £4 million will be used for the early delivery of a series of projects focused on culture, tourism, heritage, and connectivity. These projects are set to kick off in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing development of Northumberland’s town centres.

The Borderlands Place Programme, a ten-year initiative, has earmarked up to £3 million for each of the seven towns involved, including Alnwick, Prudhoe, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Bellingham, Haltwhistle, and Rothbury. This funding is being matched with contributions from other partners to ensure maximum impact.

Each town has developed a Place Plan with a series of projects, which have now been approved by the Borderlands Partnership. The final three plans for Bellingham, Haltwhistle, and Rothbury were officially endorsed last month.

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The specific projects across the county will include:

Alnwick: Up to £1.2 million to support enabling works at Northumberland Hall, which will become the new home of the proposed Bailiffgate Museum. The funding will also support wider improvements to the Market Place and the Bus Station, transforming it into a revitalised Transport Hub.

Prudhoe: Up to £500,000 for the development of the East Centre, a new youth and community facility, along with public realm improvements and upgrades to the Glade Town Square.

Bedlington: Up to £600,000 to support the development of the Bedlington Station Heritage Café and Bistro, alongside town centre enhancements including a revitalisation of the Market Place.

Newbiggin: Up to £550,000 for the first phase of a promenade transformation project, including improvements to car parking.

Bellingham: Up to £250,000 for the Station Yard business pods and storage facilities, part of a masterplan to develop the town as a key heritage-led visitor attraction and community hub.

Haltwhistle: Up to £200,000 to improve visitor facilities, capitalising on the town’s status as a popular tourist destination.

Rothbury: Up to £200,000 for various town centre improvements, including upgrades to public spaces, car parking, and visitor infrastructure.

Each of these projects is supported by a local Place Partnership Group, bringing together public, private, and community stakeholders, including local councillors and town councils, to work collaboratively on the regeneration efforts.

The funding is part of the broader Borderlands Place Programme, which aims to enhance the economic and social prospects of these towns and support long-term growth. The programme will continue to evolve, with further projects and funding likely to be approved as the programme progresses.