MP's plea to save tourist board

Mr Beith has written to the new One NorthEast chair

The main development agency for the north-east of England has been urged to rethink plans to axe the region's tourist board.

One NorthEast wants to dissolve the 34-year-old Northumbria Tourist Board (NTB) and set up a new promotional unit.

But the 1,500 small business members of the NTB have criticised the decision, saying it could seriously damage the region's tourism industry.

Now, Berwick MP Alan Beith has written to the newly appointed chair of One NorthEast, urging her to reconsider the proposals.

The NTB is made up of tourism businesses in the North East, from County Durham up to the Scottish Borders.

One NorthEast says its relationship with NTB has "broken down" over how to redirect resources, including millions of pounds of public money.

Tourist promotion

A campaign has been mounted to try to save the NTB, amid concerns that dozens of small business could face a financial crisis.

In a letter to One NorthEast's new chair, former independent television boss Margaret Fay, Mr Beith has questioned how the agency can provide the focus on tourist promotion.

He said: "I am particularly concerned that the small businesses who provide most of the tourist facilities have not been consulted and will feel that they have no involvement in how decisions are made if One NorthEast takes over."

The agency says it wants to market individual resort destinations, rather than geographic areas, like Northumbria.

A campaign group - Save Northumbria Tourist Board - has been set up by existing members of the NTB.

Hugh Becker, chairman for the business members of the NTB said: "What the region needs is a strong and responsive partnership between One NorthEast, the NTB and local authorities."