Market towns feeling worst of the recession

Chris Wade, chief executive of Action for Market Towns, said each town faced its own challenges. He suggested those further away from cities, such as Berwick in Northumberland, could potentially suffer less because they would be slightly more independent.

Those closer to cities, such as Hexham, could be more exposed because job losses in Newcastle might affect the commuting workforce.

And he said that towns such as Alnwick, which rely on tourism, faced a period of uncertainty." Mr Wade added: "It is vital that steps are taken to ensure that our market towns emerge from the recession as prosperous places and those local economies are not devastated."

The report has been passed to Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Recommendations include offering better access to Government business and economic support funds, urging local authorities to encourage change of use for empty space and to give better access to job seeking and training opportunities.

It also backs the activation of the Town Centre Initiative Fund, and ensuring that market towns and larger villages are eligible to apply.

Roger Turner head of rural economies at the Commission for Rural Communities added: "We are working to ensure the impacts that job losses and closures in market towns can have on rural economies are understood, and to ensure funding and support is made available."

HEXHAM CINEMA IS STAR OF THE SHOW

A cinema in Hexham has been held up as an example of a community initiative that has boosted the local economy.

The Forum Cinema in Hexham is highlighted by Action for Market Towns as a community-led initiative that has boosted the local economy.

The cinema is owned and operated by the Hexham Community Partnership and the profits contribute to the core costs of the partnership, which aims to act as a focus for the regeneration of Hexham for the benefit of its community.

The partnership purchased the cinema in March 2007 on a 21-year lease and operated at a profit in its first year.

Significant building works have been carried out and new activities, including a weekly Saturday Kids' Club have also been introduced.