An apparent electrical fault underground has blown a hole in part of the pavement in Tynemouth. Local people reported hearing a loud bang and debris in the road. Northern Powergrid also reported 6,000 homes without power in the area.
"I would personally like to thank the local community for their amazing donations of food, toiletries and clothing. "
Owners John and Irene Hays say there is ''light at the end of the tunnel'', after the pandemic forced them to close 650 UK stores.
There has been resistance to calls to dismantle memorials to the explorer.