Blyth news
Blyth news, newest first, from The Northumberland Post: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Blyth, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Northumberland claimant count up to 5,455 in September
5,455 people in Northumberland claimed unemployment benefits in September, up 175 in two months. Last year the same months saw a fall.
More stories
Blyth
Blyth Relief Road: Government Will Not Fund £59.9m Scheme
The Department for Transport says it will not pay for the Blyth Relief Road, six months after planning permission. The council wanted £50.9m of the £59.9m cost.
Blyth
Blyth Beach Creosote: Old Timber Works Likely Source
Lab tests confirm creosote on Blyth Beach, likely from a timber treatment works that closed around 1980. The north end stays shut and there is no clean-up date.
Blyth
Blyth Energy Central Institute: Work Starts on £25m Build
Work has begun on Blyth's £25m Energy Central Institute on the old Keel Row site. Costs rose £5.7m, part covered by money once set aside for a town hotel.
Social care
Northumberland Telecare Fees Agreed, Wardens to Go
Cabinet agreed full-cost council alarm fees on 6 October, consulted at £8.51 a week against about £6 now, and ended warden call-outs. No start date yet.
Events
What's On in Northumberland: Spook Night, Blyth Fireworks
Hexham Spook Night and Blyth's free fireworks are on 31 October, Hexham and Alnwick fire on 7 November, Morpeth lights up 14 November. 40 dates, with prices.
Remembrance
Northumberland Remembrance Sunday 2026: parade times
Remembrance Sunday is 8 November. Hexham parades from the Moot Hall at 10.15am, Morpeth's service is 11am at Deuchar Park, and Blyth holds four services.
Christmas
Northumberland pantomime 2026: Blyth and Hexham shows
Blyth's Phoenix Theatre stages Jack and the Beanstalk from 5 December, £23.50. Hexham's Queen's Hall has A Christmas Carol from £13, with prices frozen.
Blyth
Blyth Veterans Housing: Nordale House Picked for 8 Flats
Northumberland's first dedicated veterans housing goes into Nordale House on Cowpen Hall Road: eight flats, £604,000 in grant and £355,653 from the council.
Blyth
Blyth Neighbourhood Plan Passes: 87% Yes, 11% Turnout
Blyth voted 2,960 to 425 for its neighbourhood plan on an 11% turnout. It is already part of planning law, and 30 green spaces now have protection.
Libraries
Northumberland Libraries: What Changes in January 2027
Cabinet approved it on 8 September: 21 staffed libraries on fixed hours, six sites to volunteers or smart shelves, and the mobile library every four weeks, not six.
Bonfire Night
Northumberland Fireworks: Blyth 31 Oct, Morpeth 1 Nov
Blyth's free shows are at 6pm and 7.30pm on 31 October and Morpeth RFC's bonfire is Sunday 1 November. Hexham (free) and Alnwick (£6) go on 7 November.
Christmas
Northumberland Christmas Lights: Morpeth 14 Nov at 5pm
Morpeth switches on Saturday 14 November: Santa and the Mayor light the town at 5pm. Hexham follows on Friday 20 November, Blyth on Saturday 21 November.
Blyth
Blyth Beach creosote: north end shut, south open again
Bathing has resumed south of the Dave Stephens Centre, but the beach north of it stays closed while the Environment Agency investigates creosote in the sand.
Jobs
Northumberland claimant count: 7.9% in one Blyth ward
Northumberland's claimant count held at 5,355 in July, or 2.8% of working-age adults. One Blyth ward records 7.9%, a Tyne Valley ward 0.8%.
Blyth
Blyth Neighbourhood Plan referendum: vote on 10 September
Blyth votes on 10 September on whether the council must use its neighbourhood plan to decide planning applications. Every deadline, and what the plan protects.