Barnard Castle Business Guild urged to back 'Alive After 5' initiative

AN ambitious scheme to restore Barnard Castle’s “flat” night-time economy has been backed by councillors – despite being branded “an insult”.
Co-owner of No. 15 cafe on Horsemarket, Emma Rowell, put her vision “Alive After 5” to fellow town councillors last week.
Speaking as a trader in the town, she told the council’s partnership committee how Barnard Castle needed reinvigorating after 5pm.
But a heated meeting saw fellow councillor David Kinch attempt to put a stop to the presentation before it began.
In a scathing letter, Cllr Kinch branded statements on the presentation papers “an insult to the hard working people of the town”.
He added: “This document looks and feels like the start of a political manifesto from a third world country with promises to change the world with no substance to how it will work in practice.”
His colleagues disagreed.
Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said: “This is a presentation – it says it’s a presentation. The recommendation was put forward by the staff which would have to be moved and seconded.”
Ms Rowell hit back before revealing feedback she’d received from fellow traders.
“Can I begin by congratulating anyone that has ever got anything moved on the council – they have my highest admiration,” she said.
“Traders said one thing they were really concerned about was the night-time economy – they felt there was very little to draw people in from other areas.
“We do not publicise it very well – especially for businesses down The Bank that really suffer during the winter time.”
Joint business promotions, making better use of open spaces and publicity beyond the town were at the centre of Ms Rowell’s plans.
She added: “It's not just people in the town, we need to become a go-to destination for people to come in, park up and enjoy the facilities.
“Having The Meet down on the Demesnes is a commendable change. You can look at the 125th anniversary of The Bowes Museum and publicise it widely to get people in the town and advertise businesses alongside that.”
Alive After 5 schemes have been launched in Newcastle and Sheffield in the past.
Jazz events, biker rallies and storytelling festivals were all on the table.
And less orthodox promotion methods, including impromptu public theatre “flash mobs” near the castle, were also suggested.
Ms Rowell added: “It makes people stop and look – it might be a group of shoppers. Kids thought it would be a really good somewhere around Scar Top.”
Cllr Roger Peat said Alive After 5 could go under the umbrella of the Barnard Castle Business Guild.
“Would you want to take over as chairman of the Guild?” he asked.
Town mayor Cllr John Blissett added: “It would be great if the Guild came out of the darkness again because we know they are there.”
Members agreed to back Ms Rowell's project with promotion. Clerk Michael King added: “The town council offers it’s support to Alive After Five in Barnard Castle excluding staff support and financial support but will assist with its promotion.”