Surf spectacular
National championship at Druridge Bay

A Dog's life
We have the best dog beaches - it's official!

Affordable housing
Dreaming of your own house?

Deer Ambler
Spring surprise

Everybody's talking
Community forum promotes our interests

Hedging bets
Doing what comes naturally

Saving wildlife
Making a river change its mind

RNLI station shop
Spend money and save lives

Amble slimmers
Get thin and save lives

Editorial
Supermarket snags and what's in this "life saving" issue.

Have your say
Letters and email, including photos

Improving Queen Street
Grants can give you an uplift

National 'Elf
Dress up as an elf and save lives

Veggie basket scheme
Disadvantaged people help community

Neighbourhood watch
Keeping an eye on your neighbours

Coquet High School Partnership
Expected drop in pupil numbers

Women's house building project
The house that Jill built

Artograffi
Easter fun

David's Diary
News from Amble Development Trust

Town council report
News update from the Town Council

Confessions of an addict
Harry gives up the weed

Age Concern Northumberland
...need people who are concerned

Chinese freeze affects Welfare
Snow stops take-away

Child Trust Fund
Invest in your child's future

Penny
New year Resolutions

Amble Churches Together
Thoughts for New Year

County Councillors report
Future developments

A tale of two thefts
You have been warned

The Peer Mentors
Students help each other

Residents get the hump over bumps
Calming the traffic?

Dirty wellies in a wine bar
Rural romance

Small skinny latte
Toddlers make their own coffee shop

Poetry corner
Safe to shore

Paddlers Paradise
New look play area

Snippets...
Local food, recycling, school numbers, welfare update

What's On
Including live music, Easter services, volunteering at Warkworth Castle and more.

Greetings from Aglaia
Message from a tall ship

Ray King column
Kevin Keegan takes over. "We all eagerly await"

Shop front improvement scheme

Amble businesses could benefit from a new grant scheme to improve shop fronts in selected streets. It is seen as a means of supporting the growth of local businesses, improving the local environment and raising the image of Amble’s town centre for locals and visitors.

The grant is available to most commercial premises within the eligible area for example: shops, financial and professional services, restaurants, public houses.
Both tenants and building owners can apply. In the case of tenants you must have the building owner’s approval and hold at least a 5 year lease for the building.

The following work will generally be considered as eligible for support:
New shop fronts: repair and reinstatement to a shop front fixture that is visible from the street, including the first and second floors of premises where they are used for commercial activities.

Repainting of shop fronts in suitable heritage colours. The major paint manufacturers produce appropriate colour palettes, which are usually branded as heritage or period ranges.

Further guidance on colour schemes has been drawn up by the Council and a copy of the colour guide is included within the application pack.

Repair and reinstatement of guttering and down-pipes to match historic materials.
Repainting and/or re-rendering of prominent elevations in a suitable heritage colour.
Repair and/or replacement of external stonework and brickwork which forms part of the stall riser of the shop front. Re-pointing using traditional materials.

Pedestrian access improvements. These must be compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act and will only be supported as part of a wider scheme.
Signage and Window display equipment: Lighting, both external and within window displays.

Professional fees associated with the development and delivery of the project, including planning application fees.

Funding for the scheme is being provided by the Regional Development Agency (ONE North East) through Northumberland Strategic Partnership as part of the Retail Distinctiveness programme, and by Alnwick District Council.

If you would like an application form or more information please contact Louise Stott at Fourways 2 on 01665 712929