This article from the BBC ‘North East tourism businesses adapt to changing landscape’ mentions two issues; attracting tourists and having staff available. The Northumberland business was the Craster Arms in Beadnell, but it would apply across many more such as the castles, the historic houses and gardens etc.
An improved rail service, particularly serving North Northumberland, would be a welcome step, closely integrated with local buses as the railway tends not to be close to many of the attractions, but offers a much better option than hours travelling on buses from centres like Newcastle. If these are 100% on the ECML, it would still be welcomed, but a mix of ECML and Northumberland Coast Loop could be even better.
A major market for a pub is, of course, a lovely refreshing beer, maybe with or without food. So getting there without needing the car is perhaps the ideal situation – you can enjoy an alcoholic drink without worrying about driving home.
Unless you’re able to simply walk or cycle to the pub, then you need public transport to go ‘car free’. At present buses to/from Northumberland can take literally hours to reach places like Newcastle, or the larger towns in SE Northumberland, whereas rail is much faster over the long distances involved, is much more comfortable with access to toilets on board and a smoother ride too, but would need integrated with buses for the first and last miles between stations, pub and back to the hoose.
A better local service along the East Coast Main Line would of course be welcome, but for many, the new Northumberland Line stations opening later this year, and into early next year (2025) would be far closer and more convenient; meaning the Northumberland Coast Loop between Bedlington and Newcastle could potentially connect even more people than stations such as Cramlington and Morpeth.
So that could get the pub patrons there, but it could also work for staffing, mentioned as an issue by the publican in the article. Connecting places like Bedlington, Blyth and more to North Northumberland could allow the seasonal tourism industry of North Northumberland to draw staff from the large populations of SE Northumberland where improved access to work is a key part of putting the Northumberland Line back in place.
Having some services head northwards too would make further gains from the investment into the line at low additional costs – you don’t need any additional stations or even track (as its already in place linking Bedlington to Pegswood and onwards north), you just need the train put on the route.
What are your thoughts?
The Northumberland Coast Loop 