'Our town centre is not a lost cause'

Luisa Scott (second right) and a band of volunteers are aiming to make Gateshead town centre more welcoming

An area blighted by drug use, shoplifting and graffiti "is not a lost cause", a community group says.

Luisa Scott, who helped launch the Friends of Gateshead Town Centre earlier this year, says public order offences have left many people feeling wary of visiting.

But the organisation is carrying out clean-up operations in an effort to help turn things around.

Gateshead Council has been approached for comment.

Miss Scott, whose fiance, Lee Miles, co-owns the Tynesider pub on High Street, is appealing for volunteers to help play their part.

She said: "You see negative comments on local Facebook groups. We know it's really bad for anti-social behaviour, drugs and crime.

"People feel intimidated and it definitely has an impact on businesses. There was fighting on the street the other day.

"The graffiti and dilapidated buildings all add to it, but I want the community to come together and be active."

The Friends group has carried out a number of litter picks as well as wash graffiti from walls and shop fronts.

Greenery has also been added.

'Little changes'

Miss Scott also points to efforts by the council, which have seen Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) put in place to give officials powers to penalise or move on anyone causing trouble.

A local authority-led Town Watch scheme has also been launched.

Similar to Neighbourhood Watch, it involves organisations and businesses working together to try to improve community safety.

The Friends group has worked to brighten the area up with flowers

"The town centre's not a lost cause," Miss Scott said.

"The pub's only been there a year, but if you go down the street you'll see flower planters and the area's clean. You can feel the difference even with those little changes.

"We've got murals on some of the shutters and buildings are now either being developed or already occupied.

"I thought Lee was mad to open a pub on the worst High Street in the North East, but because we've got a business here we've got a stake in the town's success.

"It needs a mix of the council and private investors. The nearby Railway Quarter has had money put into it. Hopefully the rest of the town centre will get it too, but we can't wait forever."

The council has previously revealed multimillion-pound plans to regenerate the High Street South area.

It aims to provide new housing and green spaces, but earlier this year it was announced the scheme was being downsized in an attempt to speed up progress.