Shopping
Shoppers in the North East are being challenged to 'shop local' in North Tyneside. With an excellent range of shops and the introduction of free parking in all three main centres, there has never been a better time to take a trip to your local high street.
Whitley Bay has a diverse range of specialist shops that are worth browsing for that something special. There are also plenty of coffee shops to pop into to recharge your batteries. You can also shop indoors in the Park View Shopping Centre with a mix of high street and independent businesses offering a choice of goods.
Whitley Bay enjoys a worldwide reputation as a fun place for both young and young at heart, and serves as a magnet for day-trippers particularly on summer weekends. The town offers a tremendous range of niche retailing probably unsurpassed in the North East. There's also a wealth of places to eat and drink and a whole range of accommodation for the visitor.
Wallsend offers more than you may expect. Whether you're after your weekly shop, dealing with your bank or splashing out on a new fireplace, the town centre will meet your needs.
Wallsend is a very lively town with much going on - an international award winning museum at Segedunum, fine parks, a lively leisure centre and golf club, all complementing the excellent shopping experience. Wallsend really is the top value town centre in North Tyneside and the Forum Shopping Centre is a great example of what's on offer. Download the guide for more information and some excellent money off vouchers.
The Beacon Centre Shopping Centre in North Shields has a wide range of shops all under one roof and has ideal public transport links in addition to free parking in Norfolk Street. North Shields also plays host to the annual Victorian Christmas Market, offering a unique experience to buy those special Christmas gifts.
North Shields is the major commercial centre in North Tyneside and also boasts the Fish Quay where huge car transporters and North Sea ferries can be seen passing the fishing boats.
Elected mayor Linda Arkley, who cut the council's budget for newsletters to invest in the borough's town centres, said: "We need to remind people both in North Tyneside and in the wider region that there are great town centres here on their doorstep that can meet all their shopping and service needs.
"We need to get more people back in the town centres and shopping on our high streets - particularly at this time when many high street businesses are finding it difficult."