First Mechanics Arms meeting sees South Shields businesses back each other in bid to bring trade to town centre

The first business meeting to be held at the Mechanics Arms has been deemed a success as traders vow to support each other in bid to bring life back to the town centre.
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Business owners from South Shields met at the Mechanics Arms on Thursday, January 23 to discuss how they could work together to encourage people to venture into the town.

Last week the pub announced that it was teaming up Deja Vu owner and market campaigner Carol Gibson to host regular events at the pub, as well as offering traders space to sell their goods.

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And now more have joined them in the bid to see the town centre booming again.

Carol Gibson with South Shields business owners at the first meeting at the Mechanics Arms.Carol Gibson with South Shields business owners at the first meeting at the Mechanics Arms.
Carol Gibson with South Shields business owners at the first meeting at the Mechanics Arms.

Ziggy’s bar will be teaming up with recently-opened Mama Sue’s Eatery on Frederick Street to offer food to punters, while dishes from Cafe 42 will be available to drinkers in the Mechanics Arms.

Meanwhile Carol has announced Deja Vu will be working with Welcome Home Furniture to cater for all people’s interior needs.

Richmond Taxis, Knit and Pearl, Goldfinch Estate Agents and JT Workshop also attended and have all agreed to promote each other on social media, with Ziggy’s advertising local businesses in the bar.

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“It was a very productive meeting and we are all in agreement that we’re going to share each other’s customers,” said Carol.

Carol Gibson with Mechanics Arms manager Gina Smith (R) and  Louise Carr (L) who are hoping to bring trade back to the town centreCarol Gibson with Mechanics Arms manager Gina Smith (R) and  Louise Carr (L) who are hoping to bring trade back to the town centre
Carol Gibson with Mechanics Arms manager Gina Smith (R) and Louise Carr (L) who are hoping to bring trade back to the town centre

“We want to show that we can be a one-stop shop in South Shields, we’re just a little bit spread out.”

Several more businesses are expected to attend the next meeting in February, when an officer from Northumbria Police will be advising on how they can work together to tackle theft.

“A lot more businesses want to be involved,” continued Carol.

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“It’s just little ideas that once put in place can make a massive difference.”

Carol Gibson with Mechanics Arms manager Gina Smith (R) and  Louise Carr (L) who are hoping to bring trade back to the town centre.Carol Gibson with Mechanics Arms manager Gina Smith (R) and  Louise Carr (L) who are hoping to bring trade back to the town centre.
Carol Gibson with Mechanics Arms manager Gina Smith (R) and Louise Carr (L) who are hoping to bring trade back to the town centre.

She added: "South Shields is a tight-knit community anyway and this is showing the public that we are working together to support the local economy.

"None of us are competing with each other, we all want the same thing.”

Follow the Bring South Shields market back to the way it was Facebook page for updates on the next event.

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