Partner Article

Northern Rock given key to the city

Despite the troubles it has experienced in recent weeks, Northern Rock has been awarded the Freedom of the City by Newcastle City Council this week. The award, proposed several months ago by the North East Chamber of Commerce and city councillors, has been offered to the bank to honour the charitable work carried out by the Northern Rock Foundation and the Northern Rock’s contribution to Newcastle’s economy.

The honour has previously been made to world leaders, sporting personalities and major companies in the city.

Councillor John Shipley, leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The Northern Rock has deep roots in Newcastle. Not only is it a major employer in Newcastle, it has donated over £170million to over 1,500 voluntary organisations and charities across the region and made a priceless contribution to the business, social and cultural life of our city. It employs over 5,000 people in Newcastle and Sunderland and has been part of the fabric of the region for 160 years.”

Councillor Nick Forbes, leader of the opposition for Newcastle City Council, said: “The Northern Rock is one of the biggest private sector employers in the city, and we are glad to support them as they have supported the north-east for so long.”

Previous recipients of the key to the sity include Newcastle United, Nelson Mandela, Sir Bobby Robson, President Jimmy Carter, Cardinal Basil Hume, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sage Group PLC and most recently Ringtons Tea, who are celebrating their centenary this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .