I invited Robert Jenrick, Communities and Local Government Minister, to meet me in the town centre today to show him how we would use Government investment to help shops, market stalls and businesses thrive in Newcastle.
We had a chat in the Guildhall about the Town Deal that Newcastle has secured: it's vital that we use this funding (up to £25m) to best effect and I hope I have given the Minister some indication of how our responsible Borough Council and inventive town centre business community are putting together a great plan.
You can see my interview with him on my Facebook page.