80 jobs for Bedlington if new Tesco store approved

Mar 16 2010 by David Black, The Journal

PLANS have been submitted which will create scores of new retail jobs in a Northumberland town and help revitalise its historic heart.

Tesco’s bid to demolish and redevelop its existing supermarket in Bedlington is part of what has been described as the biggest single investment in the town’s history.

The multi-million pound project – which also includes 21 new shops and offices – comes on top of a £2m Townscape Heritage improvement scheme currently being carried out in the 18th century market place.

Tesco says its supermarket expansion plan, which has now been formally lodged with the county council, will create 80 jobs for local people, taking the total to about 185.

The new store will be 17,000 square feet bigger than the current one, and will offer shoppers a far wider range of goods, including clothes and small electrical appliances.

The new building, together with refurbished properties in the market place, will also house up to six retail units and 15 offices, funded through a partnership of Tesco, the county council and Go Wansbeck, the local agency tasked with boosting business growth and enterprise.

The partners say the shops and offices will provide a prime location for local firms and establish the recently-revamped market place as a focal point for business in Bedlington.