On Bedlington.uk Now...

Malcolm Robinson Bedlington West Ward. dtrepoosSnu76auhh90cl107424538h35f74169gf6h0ath1c47l80h68ifh · 12th December 2025 B&M Confirmed for Brand-New 19,000 sq. ft Store in Bedlington Town Centre Advance Northumberland is delighted to announce proposals for a brand-new B&M variety store alongside a new Drive Thru facility as the next major phase in the ongoing regeneration of Bedlington Town Centre. This significant milestone marks another step forward in revitalising the heart of the town. The new development is expected to create a range of local job opportunities, attract increased investment, boost footfall for existing businesses, and offer residents a broader choice of retail options closer to home. The B&M will provide an attractive frontage to Retail Lane, the new boulevard connecting the car parks with Market Terrace and the wider Town Centre. Outline planning permission for the wider town centre redevelopment was secured in 2018, and significant progress has already been made. Two major phases are now complete, including the opening of Aldi in 2021 and, most recently, the delivery of the new Market Place in May, which introduced four modern retail units (including Greggs) alongside six fully let residential apartments. The project is now moving into Phase 3, which will bring forward a 19,000 sq ft B&M variety retail store and a new Drive-Thru, marking another important milestone in the ongoing transformation of the town centre. Advance Northumberland is now preparing detailed planning applications for the latest elements of the scheme, which will be submitted by the end of the year. Work on site is scheduled to begin in Spring/Summer next year, with the store to open its doors in Spring 2027. B&M’s new store is set to create 40/45 new jobs, offering a mix of full-time and part-time opportunities for local residents. Steven Harrison, CEO at Advance Northumberland said: “I am thrilled that we have been to finalise this deal to bring a major national retail brand to Bedlington. This success, alongside Advance Northumberland’s other initiatives in the town demonstrates strong confidence in Bedlington and will help ensure it becomes a thriving and attractive destination for local people and businesses alike.” The store manager from B&M said: “We’re feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs for local people in Bedlington, and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store coming very soon. We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome new customers through the door.” The introduction of B&M and the new Drive Thru is a key component of the long-term strategy to create a vibrant and sustainable town centre through new retail and employment opportunities. Some comments from followers of Malcolm :- Top fan Martin Mullarkey McDonald’s would make a killing if we had one . Tony Bowey Martin Mullarkey your big enough never mind a Mc Donald’s lol Sarah Louise Trood Martin Mullarkey the drive thru is starbies Joanne Allan Martin Mullarkey totally would Top fan Colin Patterson Total junk food! Would be a hangout for kids & boy racers on a night. Adam Curry I think the design is great. Happy with a Starbucks as well. If I had the money, I’d knock the new empty units on the front into one and stick a decent gym in there. Emma Mason Adam Curry noooooo there’s plenty gums around. We need actualy blinking shops Top fan Colin Patterson Stuff McDonalds. Bring back the Ridge Farm carveries! Top fan Keith Scantlebury Colin Patterson it’s Starbucks Sarah Louise Trood Better anchor store than Aldi was, b&m will also attract a home bargains at some point and possibly Yorkshire trading because you rarely see them apart. Like where there is a Lidl there is an aldi. Wish we could get a small M&S too. But the state they are in at the minute it’s not worth their while. I also know how hard dransfied had to work to get M&S in Morpeth and he was mates with the then CEO. Hopefully this means Bedlington is going to get a footfall. Penny Black Antiques So instead of “pipers place” row of shops? Jane Srodzinski I'm happy with a B&M to be fair, they do need to sort out the empty "new" units though so if extortionate rent is the issue it needs addressed asap Christine Warne Jane Srodzinski true you would think the landlord would appreciate some rent rather than none as they are set too high. John Lawson Meanwhile in Ashington there is nothing but a train to get out of the disaster that is Station Road. Vape shops, nail bars and hairdressers. Ben Thomas John Lawson but meanwhile in Ashington you have, home bargains, B&M, Argos, Asda , loads of independent shops including x2 independent bargain shops, Aldi , Lidl & new cinema Not to mention a leisure centre & all the investment in previous years…. At least you’ve actually got shops & “some decent ones” Emma Mason John Lawson same as here lol Susan James-Hemsted Who are going into the small shops in the market place can anyone tell us please. Marie Mellon Susan James-Hemsted no one because the rent is extortionate, might stand a chance with reasonable rent. Mind you, do we need any more hairdressers, vape shops, or launderettes?? Emma Mason Susan James-Hemsted no one yet as the rents are out of this world Emma Mason So where is the other row of shops gonna go. That’s meant to come down an open path. Dave T Blench Saves me traveling to Blyth or Ashghanistan for B&M Katie Kenwell There goes all my money Alexander Murray Susan James-Hemsted I think we could have a nice charity shop and don't say we can't as Morpeth have loads XLawson X XKerry Susan James-Hemsted I don’t go to charity shops but I think it’s a good idea xx Top fan Colin Patterson Yer I know. I was just making comment the McDonalds suggestion. Jamie Carney Jack Carney Jack Carney Jamie Carney leisure centre wouldve been better Gemma Soulsby Shannon Samara Graham Shannon Samara Graham That’s our money gone bye bye Lucy Dawson TaylorJayne Gray Connie Gray Peter Forman June Forman Shannon Samara Graham Michael Mcleod Mel Donaldson Denise Short Wilson

!00% correct Mal, a terrible decision to push through their plans, although I do agree with their reasonings they gave. The procedure after eight years was a deliberate attempt to shut down a reasonable alternative plan, if their explanations are valid then I feel they are correct, I felt their body language and attitude just showed contempt for the councillors, I hope at least they really consider the alternative plan.

Bit of a bad tempered meeting but it was so wrong! Political lines clearly on display! Procedures are there to protect everyone not be circumnavigated for the benefit of a few!

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/news/data-centre-project-hits-another-milestone Data centre project hits another milestone

Cambois Data Centre clears final hurdle...........

As a Bedlington Stoker myself I find this extremely interesting. I know that there are 2 Stokers on the war memorial in Bedlington. I am the son of the late William Crawford (Bill) Stoker, grandson of the late Edward Noble Stoker, and great grandson of Ralph Stoker. Apparently Edward was one of a large number of Stokers in his generation.