WORK to a Tyne Valley pocket park is nearing completion – after specially selected amelanchier lamarchii trees have been planted and sponsored by local traders.

The pocket park site, on Prudhoe Front Street, has been given by Coop to the Prudhoe Community Partnership for five years.

Shops working to brighten up the long-standing, vacant plot include Aspen Physiotherapy, Balls of Prudhoe, The Bed and Chair Centre, Caffe Ginevra, Caris Robson, Coop, Elizabeth Evans Opticians, Fab Face and Beauty, Gilmore Estates, Heritage Accountancy, A McGee DIY and Red Hot Property.

It is hoped the area will be a restful place for shoppers and visitors. Thompsons of Prudhoe has provided materials and labour to prepare the site and CSN Services has installed the lighting.

“It’s exciting to see the park finally coming together with so many Front Street shopkeepers and businesses contributing financially”, said chair of Prudhoe Traders Committee, Paul Murray. “This was a retail initiative and a great example of shopkeepers collectively working together. I would like to thank everyone that has contributed, especially the co-op for allowing us to use their land to create this fabulous community space. In addition, I can’t thank our volunteers enough - they have all worked so hard in making this happen, we are all very excited to see the park completed and open to the local community very soon.”

The project has received financial backing from Essity, Northumberland County Council, Prudhoe Community Partnership and Prudhoe Town Council.

A grand opening is planned to thank funders and volunteers once covid restrictions are relaxed.

Chair of Prudhoe Community Partnership Caroline Warburton said it was great to see shoppers return to the Front Street.