It’s a Whitley Bay street packed full of independent businesses where you can buy everything from groceries to rare books – and stop off for a bite to eat along the way.
Park View is just a short stroll from the beautiful seafront and has become the beating heart of the town, with dozens of new shops, cafes, and restaurants popping up in recent years.
Residents’ commitment to shopping locally has ensured that businesses have thrived and those on the street say it has also become a “foodie hotspot” that’s attracting visitors from abroad.
One such business that’s welcomed visitors from as far as New Zealand and Australia is Bean & Bite coffee and sandwich deli which opened on the vibrant shopping street in March 2023.
The popular family business is run by Gail and John Bell, their sons, Matthew and Dan Bell, and Crystal Peterson.
“People associate shopping with Park View when they come to Whitley Bay,” Gail said.
“It’s becoming quite a foodie hotspot with lots of places to go and get coffee, cakes, sandwiches, and all types of cuisine. It’s quite a destination point for people to come and get a bite to eat and look around the shops.
“It was very touristy last summer – we had people coming in from all over. You don’t expect people from the likes of New Zealand and Australia to come to Whitley Bay for their holidays but they do!”
But Gail said it was the year-round support from local residents that was the key to the success of local businesses in the area.
“Whitely Bay has its own little economy; a lot of people don’t leave and just spend their money there,” she said.
“If it wasn’t for the support of the locals a lot of businesses wouldn’t survive. Everybody is so supportive of small businesses here in Whitley Bay which means they are still thriving and long may that continue.”
Nicholson’s Butchers have been trading on Park View for more than 100 years, and staff there have seen firsthand how the street has been transformed in that time.
Kathryn Meadows who runs Nicholson’s Butchers in Whitley Bay and her cousin Mark Straffer also who works for the family business.(Image: Nicholsons )
Kathryn Meadows, who has taken over the reins of the family business, has noticed an increase in “young professionals” visiting the street. She said the new openings have also helped to boost trade during traditionally quieter periods.
“It has become a popular spot for people to come and spend the day and do some shopping, go out for lunch, and have a drink,” she said.
“We used to find that our trade on a Saturday would really die off but now we have people coming out for their lunch, so Saturday afternoons are really busy for us.”
She continued: “I feel really proud of Park View and what we have got on the street.
“I think it’s the variety [that attracts people.] There’s not just coffee shops or clothes shops, it has got lots of things that appeal to lots of people.
“More businesses are popping up that are attracting younger people. I think a few years ago there was a different demographic but now we are getting lots of younger customers, under-35s, who are young professionals.
“I feel that people are more passionate about shopping local and looking after the people on their doorstep.”
It’s a sentiment shared by Alice Laverty and Anthony Smithson from Keel Row Books, which opened on Park View last August after moving from its original home of more than four decades on Preston Road in North Shields.
While many of its loyal customers have followed them to their new location, the pair have been overwhelmed by the support from locals since opening in the former Boots unit.
“People were very fond of our old shop in North Shields [so] we were worried about whether we’d manage to recreate the Keel Row magic in our new location but the feedback on our relocation has been extremely positive,” Alice said.
“Moving to a high street location has attracted many new customers alongside our book-collecting regulars.”
She continued: “The town as a whole has a reputation for a great shopping experience. Proper traditional shops – the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. You can buy everything from apples to walking boots to rare books in the town.
“There are lifestyle stores like Behalla and Bellwoods, gorgeous little cafes and bars, an old-fashioned butchers, several wonderful bookshops, and antique shops.
“Every business along Park View is independently owned, there isn’t a single chain store shop on the street.
“Whitley Bay likes to shop local and why wouldn’t they, with so many lovely shops and cafes on their doorstep?”
But it’s not just customers who help the area thrive, with local businesses on the street and surrounding area all supporting one another, according to Boston Barks owner Libby Hall.
The store opened in a former garage door showroom in December 2022, specialising in raw dog food, and sells natural treats, toys, and health supplements.
“I had moved to North Shields [from Seaton Deleval] and knew how popular Park View was,” she said.
“The full street is made up of small businesses. I received such a warm welcome from everyone on the street when I opened.
“Everyone helps and supports each other. The reaction from customers has been lovely, people have said, ‘This is what we needed.'”
North Tyneside Council is delighted with the success of Park View and reported that more than 100 new businesses have sprung up in Whitley Bay since 2018. It said creating thriving high streets is one of its top priorities and stressed that the needs of small businesses are “always at the forefront” of its regeneration plans for the borough.
North Tyneside deputy mayor, Carl Johnson, said: “We are very proud to have so many small independent businesses here in North Tyneside. They play a vital role in our communities and the economic success and vibrancy of our high streets.
“Park View in Whitley Bay stands as an excellent example of how an area can be transformed through new investment and the arrival of small businesses. Since 2018, over 100 new businesses have sprung up in Whitley Bay, creating a dynamic independent scene that continues to grow.
“Creating thriving high streets and encouraging people to visit them is one of our top priorities and the needs of small businesses are always at the forefront of our regeneration plans for the borough.
“We continue to support businesses in the area through our dedicated Business Factory service and through our partnership with the North Tyneside Business Forum, a fantastic networking group where businesses can connect and prosper.
“We’re really proud of how well the area is doing and we’re looking forward to seeing it keep on thriving.”
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Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
