Businesses on Hexham’s Hallstile Bank have welcomed the reopening of the footpath as a “Christmas miracle”, saying the return of level access could help restore trade during the busy winter period.
The path reopened on Monday, October 12, after scaffolding was partially removed from the site. The road remains closed to vehicles, but pedestrians can once again reach the town-centre shops without the restricted access that has affected traders for months.
The work follows the collapse of the Hexham Ex-Servicemen’s Club chimney in July 2025. The incident damaged the adjacent building, which was occupied by Bob’s Barbers and Project Escape, and led to reduced customer numbers for some businesses on the bank.
Businesses hope Christmas trade can recover
Alison Smith, owner of Matthias Winter, said the disruption had lasted for more than a year and that the reopening had come sooner than expected.
“It was over a year before the works got started, and we were told it could take up to 20 weeks to complete, which would have taken us right up to Christmas and could potentially have made a big dent on our Christmas trade like it did last year with there being no flat footpath access.”
She said the footpath reopening before the Christmas run-up was fully under way felt “quite miraculous”. Smith also praised the resilience of Hallstile Bank traders and said the situation was now improving.
Northumberland County Council said building work was expected to be completed in the coming weeks, which would allow the road to reopen. Councillor Trevor Cessford said he was delighted that the scaffolding had been removed and the path fully reopened, describing the work as ahead of schedule.
Impact on local organisations
The disruption also affected The Minerva Centre, a charity providing students with learning difficulties a place to learn and practise art. The centre moved its main workshop to Burn Lane in April after restricted access made operating from Hallstile Bank difficult.
Jenny Brew, an administrator at the centre, said students had struggled to reach the shop and welcomed the return of safe access.
“Our students will now be able to come up and do their bit in the shop because that's what they're missing.”
Bob’s Barbers permanently moved to premises on St Mary’s Chare in January, while Project Escape has remained closed since the 2025 incident. The Ex-Servicemen’s Club later went into liquidation, and its Hallstile Bank premises were sold to new owners, Auld Joe’s Limited.
Meanwhile, Tynedale Craft Exchange has opened in the part of the building previously used by The Minerva Centre. Owner Heather Cook said the new business had been open for less than a month and that customers had been eager to visit but unable to get there easily.
“To have that open and be accessible is a huge thing.”
With pedestrian access restored and work continuing, Hallstile Bank businesses are hoping the remaining road closure will soon end and that the winter trading period will bring a much-needed improvement.