Northumberland walk named after Dan Burn 'a boost for business'
Businesses say trade is booming on a walking trail renamed in honour of Newcastle United star Dan Burn.The Elsdon Burn Walk in Northumberland was renamed the Big Dan Burn Walk as a nod to celebrate his Carabao Cup opening goal, which helped end the team's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.Jackie Sewell, landlady of Bird in Bush, says "the difference that it's made has been tremendous", with the pub experiencing an upturn of more than 110% since 2 April.Due to the success, Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) has extended the name change until to the end of September as a tribute to the 6ft 7in (2m) Blyth-born defender.
Burn, 32, will also be made an honorary freeman of Northumberland, after county councillors unanimously voted to back the plans.
Black and white stripes
The national park authority has invited people on to the two-hour walk, which follows Elsdon Burn, to "reminisce about that header" and celebrate a "local hero's triumph"."Just about every single person that comes into the pub or the coffee shop is either starting the Big Dan Burn Walk, or they're ending the Big Dan Burn Walk," Ms Sewell told BBC Radio Newcastle.
Ms Sewell said the increased popularity had been "absolutely amazing"."We've never seen this many people for so long in Elsdon," she said.Elsdon Village Hall, which provides toilet and shower facilities on a donation basis, has also seen an increase in day visitor and overnight campers' numbersAn "increase in takings is being appreciated", the national park authority said.NNPA said it had seen plenty of people doing the walk in their black and white stripes.Big Dan Burn Walk stickers have also been put up alongside the current markers.
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