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Bedlington councillors say town is 'a priority' for Northumberland County Council; Purchase of vacant Tesco store and surrounding land is due to be completed next week, as protest continue over 'decline of town'.

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Byline: Adam Luke

Councillors have assured voters their town is "a priority" as the purchase of a vacant Tesco supermarket moves closer.

The retail giant closed its Bedlington Market Place store in early April to cut costs, after also abandoning plans to develop a neighbouring plot of land into shops and offices.

The move led to the formation of protest group Make a Noise for Bedlington, which organised a demonstration in the market square aimed at stopping "the rapid decline of the town", attracting 1,700 residents.

In May, Tesco agreed to sell its store and surrounding land to the Northumberland County Council backed development company Arch and that deal is expected to go through next week, forming part of the authority's investment strategy for the town centre.

Councillors Alyson Wallace, Terry Johnstone and Val Tyler, who all represent the town on the council, visited the site this week to discuss its retail and leisure potential.

Coun Alyson Wallace, of Bedlington Central, said: "The town received a vital investment boost when Tesco agreed to sell the store to Arch. Bedlington is a priority for the council and we all want to see the centre develop and improve, and we have ambitious plans."

Bedlington West's Coun Johnstone added: "This is the first phase of a new and exciting plan for the town as Northumberland County Council, in partnership with Arch, begins to develop, fund and deliver an exciting new investment strategy.

"There are lots of options as the site covers a very large area from the main shopping area including the former Tesco building, with a long sloping area of grassed land leading to a huge car park."

Local people will be asked to help develop proposals for a mixed-use redevelopment of the former Tesco site when the buy goes through, with key...

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