Hallstile Bank Reopens to Traffic After 15 Months

One of the oldest routes into the heart of Hexham is open to traffic again. Hallstile Bank, the steep street that climbs into the town centre by the Market Place, has reopened to vehicles for the first time since 30 July 2025, Northumberland County Council has confirmed.

For the traders on the bank, and for anyone who has had to find a way round it for the past 15 months, it is the news they have been waiting for.

Why it closed

The road was shut after the chimney of the former Hexham Ex-Servicemen's Club, at the top of the bank, collapsed in the summer of 2025 and damaged the building next door. Scaffolding went up to make the buildings safe, and the closure stayed in place while the long and complicated job of securing the site went on.

The disruption reached well beyond the two buildings directly hit. Bob's Barbers has since moved permanently to St Mary's Chare, and the Courant reports that Project Escape has stayed closed since the collapse. Other businesses on the bank told the paper they had lost footfall and struggled with access while the scaffolding was up.

Reopening in stages

The former club was sold earlier this year to a local firm planning to restore it, which we covered in our July report. In recent weeks the scaffolding at the top of the bank came down and the footpath reopened to pedestrians, but vehicles had to wait until the final stage of the work was finished.

"We continue to welcome progress on this site, and can confirm Hallstile Bank is once again open to traffic," a council spokesperson told the Hexham Courant.

Back to business on the bank

Hallstile Bank is home to a cluster of independent shops and services, including the eco-homeware and gift shop Matthias Winter, the three-floor Northumberland Antique Centre, Hair by Mantra and Zanzi Turkish Barbers. With Christmas shopping season about to start, the reopening comes at a useful time for them.

Best for: If you have been avoiding Hallstile Bank since the summer of 2025, it is open again on foot and by car.

Read the original report in the Hexham Courant. Spotted a local story we should cover? Get in touch.