You probably saw the news the other day that Mike Collier, the Chief Executive of One North East, will be retiring next May. As his Chairman Dr John Bridge said, he will be a hard act to follow in the regional development agency.

Mike will always be associated with his comment that people in the Tees Valley "lack confidence" and have a funny view of Newcastle which is only 30 miles away. Rather than simply blast away his opinion, it's still worth discussion because, in too many cases, he was dead right.

Before I convince you, or not, just ponder those 30 miles.

Rather than see Tyneside as a permanent demon, it should be viewed as an asset. We can work for and promote Tees Valley and simply see our Northern neighbour as an extra selling point for our patch because of its accessibility. Recently, we set off for the Theatre Royal and left home in Hartlepool at about 6.15. Those 30 miles took well under 45 minutes and I was able to park in Grey Street, a stroll away from the theatre's front door.

Just picture that situation in London. Thirty miles into the West End at almost a mile a minute and then park in Shaftesbury Avenue. Some chance!

I remember doing a promotional job years ago simply because people who are used to the traffic grind of London don't appreciate our benefits here most of the time.

The problem was that media buyers in London (who spend literally millions on advertising) wouldn't advertise Tyneside shops on Teesside or vice versa. As one of them said, looking at the map with London eyes, who would drive for three hours to go shopping?

We flew a planeload of the disbelievers up to Teesside and then popped them into a coach for a trip up to the Tyne Bridge. Most of them were staggered that the journey time was so short, and one day's work brought a new attitude, and new business, from the capital.

Turning to that "lack of confidence" there are honourable exceptions, but many residents of the Tees Valley are short of the kind of vision which turned the Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside from an eyesore into one of the tourist hits of the world. Not that long ago, it looked even worse than the stretch of the Tees around Newport Bridge, so who knows? To Stockton's credit, the area around the Barrage is looking a different class, and Middlesbrough's plans for Middlehaven are finally moving after too long a time in local bickering.

Star prize though, goes again to my home town of Hartlepool where the Historic Quay has gained yet another national award this week as Living Museum of the Year. Not far away, great plans are afoot for the Kafiga Landings site near the Fish Quay. The future could see a real tourist hotspot including a world class fish restaurant and associated attractions.

Immediately, the doubters start and lampoon the idea because of its location. Rubbish! That site has one of the best seaside views in the country and a real character of its own. The only thing which can stop its success is that lack of confidence, and the people of vision will have to fight their corner and show that we can produce the best right here.

Published: 04/12/2002