Engagement with Whitley Bay businesses

Following a deliberate wheelie bin fire on Whitley Road, Whitley Bay town centre that spread to the commercial premises, on the evening of Friday 2nd March, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have been engaging with local businesses.

In a bid to help other businesses to prevent such fires occurring, potentially ruining healthy businesses and putting lives at risk over twenty surrounding properties were given arson reduction advice, fire safety checks and general fire safety advice from the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

The engagement follows a recent announcement from North Tyneside Business Forum that the business support organisation and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have established a working partnership to provide support for the business community in this important area of Fire Safety.

David Bavaird, Chair of the North Tyneside Business Forum said: “We are pleased to be working closely with the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to support businesses across North Tyneside 95% of businesses in North Tyneside are SME’s and it is essential that businesses are made aware of the support available from statutory organisations to help keep their business running and we are very grateful for the support of the fire service following this deliberate arson attack.”

Julie Summers, Chair of Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade said: “Thank you to Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for responding so quickly to a deliberate fire in our town and for providing our retailers with fire safety advice and reassurance following the attack. We will be responding to the Safer North Tyneside Partnership – Community Safety Strategy 2019-2024 consultation which is currently open as we believe it is important to safeguarding our town centre and help keep it safe.”

Ian Bell, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Station Manager for Fire Safety North said: “Following an incident of this type, we believe it is important to reach out with businesses to prevent such fires occurring and affecting properties and potentially the businesses of North Tyneside to make the place a safer and more prosperous place to work, live and set up a business.”

North Tyneside Business Forum, in partnership with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, will soon be a launching a series of training videos and a social media campaign for businesses focused on fire safety and business continuity.

For businesses wishing to seek advice on fire safety in the mean time, information and support can be found at www.twfire.gov.uk. Fire Safety Inspectors will also respond to request for information and ensure it is consistent, appropriate, transparent and timely, and the inspection of premises in regard to commerce and industry will be prioritised on risk.

Notes to editors:

North Tyneside Business Forum aim to be the lead support organisation for the business community in the borough; encouraging economic growth, employment, sustainability and corporate responsibility. The Business Forum supports any business with a trading address in North Tyneside.

For more information visit www.northtynesidebusinessforum.org.uk or call 0191 643 6000.