80 jobs for Bedlington if new Tesco store approved

Mar 16 2010 by David Black, The Journal

The overall scheme will result in the filling in of a gap site in the corner of the market place, further improving the look of the area.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Doug Wilson said: “We are delighted to put forward this planning application. It means extra jobs and an improved shopping experience for people living in the Bedlington area. It will also play a key role in the continuing regeneration of the town.”

Go Wansbeck programme manager Martin Townshend said: “This marks a very important step in the ongoing redevelopment of Bedlington. It will place some of the local businesses we have helped develop right at the heart of a new, vibrant commercial centre.

“An investment on this scale – during difficult economic times – has to be welcomed.”

The project has won the backing of Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy, along with hundreds of people who attended a public exhibition of the plans in 2008.

Mr Murphy said: “Bedlington has needed a development like this for more than 20 years, and the fact we will get a large Tesco right in the town centre, an enterprise centre and more retail units is excellent news.”

If the scheme gets the green light from council planners, Tesco intends to put up a temporary store during construction work.

The company worked with officials of the former Wansbeck Council for several months to design a scheme which reflects the architectural character of the town centre.