Go North East: Chester-le-Street locals relieved as bus strike ends

Pub landlord Glen Sutherland picked up and dropped off customers during the bus strike

A town which saw businesses hit during an indefinite bus strike is "picking up again", say locals.

About 1,300 bus workers walked out on 28 October, before returning to work on Saturday in a pay dispute.

Glen Sutherland, who runs the Market Tavern pub in Chester-le-Street, said the town was becoming busier after all Go North East services resumed.

"Business has picked up over the weekend and the town is starting to get vibrant again," Mr Sutherland said.

The pub landlord ferried customers to and from the venue during the month-long action in order to "survive".

At the time, he said the strike was costing him up to £4,000 per week in trade as patrons could not travel into the town.

Go North East runs about ten routes through Chester-le-Street

Mr Sutherland, who previously said Chester-le-Street had become a "ghost town", said he was "over the moon" after a pay deal was reached.

"It's really pickling up...trade has gone through the roof," he said.

"There's not so many miles on my car. It's been a good weekend and you could tell the difference straight away."

He said he did not blame workers, adding: "They haven't had a strike for nothing."

• Pay agreement ends bus workers' strike

During the dispute, commuters from across north-east England claimed the action was costing them hundreds of pounds.

Chester-le-Street local Imogen Riley said a journey to her workplace in the Metrocentre had been costing up to £22 each way in taxi fares.

"It's so much easier to get back to work," she said.

"I've had to take taxis and trains and have spent a lot of money on getting back and forth from work.

"£22 is a lot of money...when I could travel for £2 each way, so it has been a hit on money that I could have saved."

Go North East passenger Imogen Riley said the strikes were costing her £22 each way in taxi fares

On Friday, Go North East workers accepted a two-year deal which includes an 11.2% rise this year, taking pay from £12.83 to £14.27 per hour.

This will be followed by an inflation-linked increase, subject to a minimum of 4% next year, bringing pay up to a minimum of £14.84.

Unite the Union, which brought the action, said the lengthy dispute was necessary to achieve "better pay" for workers.

Go North East said it was "sorry" to customers for the impact on services and was "relieved to be able to offer a full network once more".

The operator is offering free single and return journeys until 9 December.