Christmas hope as 15-month path closure lifted
SolStockA business owner has shared her relief after a 15-month road and path closure was lifted ahead of her busiest time of year.
Hallstile Bank in Hexham, Northumberland, was closed to cars and pedestrians on 30 July 2025 after a two-tonne chimney collapsed through the roof of a building. No-one was injured but several homes were evacuated at the time.
The footpath reopened in October and the road followed on Monday, Northumberland County Council said.
Alison Smith, owner of eco-gift store Matthias Winter, said: "Last year we were affected by loss of trade running up to Christmas and we were fearful the same thing would happen this year."
Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy said it had been an incredibly tough time for businesses in the Hallstile Bank shopping area.
Project Escape closed with immediate effect after damage to the premises, and Bob's Barbers moved to a new location on St Mary's Chare after 29 years on the ground floor of the affected building.
The chimney remained suspended by a twin and earth cable for several months, with "complex ownership and liability matters" causing its removal to be delayed.
Smith said: "We never anticipated that it would take as long as it had.
"It just makes you realise how vulnerable you are as a business when something like that happens, because you can't plan for that."
Despite the difficulties caused by the closure, Smith said it brought traders together and there was now hope ahead of Christmas.
Kennedy has confirmed the town council will extend its annual Christmas lights display to the Hallstile Bank shopping area for the first time ever - in the hope of supporting traders who have had to "struggle through" the last 15 months.
Smith said: "It's absolutely the biggest time of the year and it keeps us going for the entire year, it does actually feel quite positive now.
"It'll be a bit of new life down our way."
A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: "We continue to welcome progress on this site, and can confirm Hallstile Bank is once again open to traffic."