Survey 2008 Result

3.  Which Market Towns or Villages do you consider to be particularly attractive (they do not have to be local) and why?

From the answers to this question it is clear that people mainly admire a village or town that is attractive, well maintained and cared for, that has floral displays and sufficient parking. A good variety/range of shop is very important as is a sense of the place being busy. Paying attention to historic detail and natural assets is also valued.

For a full list of the places thought to be attractive see appendix i

4. Have you any ideas which you consider would assist the commercial regeneration and the renovation and restoration of the High Street.

Among the many suggestions were; divide the old Spar building into smaller units, lower business rates, attract businesses into empty shops, plant flowers and trees, make the High Street an attractive place to linger, bring in Richard Branson and exploit the fact that Belford is the most accessible stop off point between Newcastle and Dunbar.

For the full list of suggestions see appendix ii

5. What would you prefer to see on any new signs at the entrances to Belford e.g. “Welcome to Belford, Historic Market Village”.

67 respondents thought “Welcome to Belford, Historic Market Village” was appropriate, 12 thought “Welcome to Belford.

 See appendix iii for full list of comments and suggestions

6.  If Belford High Street had more shops would you increase the amount of shopping you do in the village.

Only one person said no to this every other person said yes they would increase the amount of shopping they do in the village if the High Street had more shops.

7.  Would a home delivery service for your groceries persuade you to shop in the village?

 35% of respondents said that a home delivery service would persuade them to shop in the village.

8.  Do you have any problems getting about the village because of mobility or other difficulties? Does this affect your shopping in Belford and what suggestions have you that would make access easier.

Poor lighting and difficult access to the shops, the state of the pavements and the steps on the High Street are all areas that concern people.

 See appendix iiii for all comments and suggestions.

9.  If there were allotments in the village would you be interested in renting one?

25 respondents would be interested in renting an allotment.

10.  Have you any suggestions for a new use for the Bank Building e.g. offices, exhibition space?

There were many suggestions for a new use for the Bank Building. The most preferred option is as use as an exhibition space or museum space to bring people into the village.

 For complete list see appendix vi

11. How long have you lived in the village?

77% of respondents have lived here over 10 years, 10% between 5 and 10 years, 9% between 1 and 4 years and 4% less than one year.

12. Do you reside in the village during the winter months?

98.5% of respondents live in the village during the winter months

13. What attracted you to move here?

The reasons people moved into Belford are many and varied. The village itself with its amenities, good housing, community feel and friendly people are mentioned many times.

The beautiful location of the village with its proximity to the sea and hills is also an attraction.

See appendix vii for full list of comments.

Rail Link to Belford.

52% of respondents would like to see the trains stopping once more in Belford.

Age of respondents.

7% of respondents are aged between 16 – 25, 25% between 26 -50, 40% between 51 – 65 and 28% aged over 66. Only a few indicated their gender.

Additional Comments

Many people took up this opportunity to made additional comments for a list of these please see appendix viii

Appendix I

Which market towns do you consider to be attractive and why.

Kelso, interesting shops                                                              Kelso nice market place and lots of good shops

Hexham, good shops, nice buildings, abbey and market.                Hexham, well kept old buildings and lovely market square

Stratford upon Avon but would not like all the tourists.                  Corbridge has an attractive setting and buildings, nice shops.

Chatton, Wooler, Norham, Morpeth.Whittingham, Swarland,         Norham - houses and businesses look appealing.

Berwick is a pretty town and has a choice of shops                       Berwick upon Tweed - good shopping centre

Rothbury - Wide tree lined Main Street                                        Kelso – interesting shops

Rothbury and Wooler both have much more life, shops etc.           East Meon in Hampshire – attractive Main Street and well maintained.

Eglingham, beautiful buildings                                                     Pickering, N. Yorks the flowers at entrance to town make it so attractive

Alnwick has good range of shops, nice shop fronts, flowers and trees and is busy.

Alnwick - appears to be cared fro, e.g. flowers, hanging baskets.  Excellent Christmas lights and signs for attractions.  Town maps in some streets etc.

Alnwick – appears to be cared for example lots of flowers and hanging baskets. Excellent Christmas lights and signs for attractions. Town maps in some streets etc.

Wooler because of its real High Street,

Wooler very good range of shops.

Wooler - good selection of independent businesses. 

Etal and Ford - a key attraction to get people there
Wooler and Rothbury - good range of shops

Wooler - well planned

Wylam because of its facilities for parking, then walking and as a centre for cycling along the old railway paths.

Knaresborough, Masam and Richmond. Obviously bigger than Belford but are historic and all have attractions to pull in tourists. Belford needs something!

Warkworth is well maintained with attention to detail and lots of flowers but I think Belford is a better village.

Warkworth is how a small village should be kept – credit must go to the various shops and cares for their floral displays.

Warkworth, Beautiful shop fronts, well kept, attractive flower displays.

Beverley attention to historic detail, good range of shops and well maintained buildings.

Helmsley – attractive development of stream banks, interesting variety of shops, good food shopping, weekly market and craft fairs and similar in hall.

Tynemouth, nice atmosphere, interesting shops, church converted into small shop units, ample parking, priory, antique market every Saturday.

Morpeth for its well maintained buildings, use of smart colours on shops (Rutherfords) and lots of flowers.

Morpeth - it has the feel of a busy community that Belford used to have

Morpeth, attractive shop fronts with lots of flowers in summer

Masam, N. Yorks – good state of small shops mainly set around a market square with a twice-weekly market. Buildings have been kept as they were built and are well maintained.

Bamburgh – clean attractive appearance, selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Bamburgh - Many original features have been maintained on property.  Open grass space opposite Front Street is extremely well cared for.  The village as a whole has a very welcoming atmosphere, even when just driving through the village.

Bamburgh because of the seating looking towards the castle, quaint shops

Bamburgh well kept and Castle views                                           Bamburgh with grassed areas and trees

Bamburgh because people there seem to care, we have a lot of new building and people there do not seem to be bother where they live

Grwald – it is so attractive with quaint old fashioned little houses and streets.

Those who make features of the burns and streams running through their village – Thorntondale, N York, springs to mind. We try to hide ours!

I split my time between home Belford and work in Gloucs. Many of the villages there are very pleasant with lots of attention to their village’s heritage, supporting local business

Alnwick, Berwick - they have retained much of their historical character

Melrose, very good selection of small shops and very well looked after - good loos!

Helmsley and Easingwold both function as market towns yet retain original features with diversity of trades.

Helmsley or Malton in North Yorkshire are good examples              Helmsley Helmsley, Yorks - very colourful & full of flowers

I know few market towns/villages well and there are none which spring to mind as particularly attractive.  However, I would suggest that, without a regular market, Belford can hardly call itself a "market village". 

In general, though I find most attractive those small towns and villages which seek to meet the needs of local people rather than deliberately to attract people from outside.  If Belford concentrates its efforts on supporting local needs, others from outside will find us attractive.