Fears of a 'black hole' in Bedlington after Tesco site project delay

Politicians say they're "devastated" at delays to a £10m development intended to revitalise a Northumberland town centre.

The scheme to regenerate the site of the former Tesco supermarket, in Bedlington, is on hold. Delays came after the much-anticipated 'well-known food retailer', said to be interested in the site, could not be locked down.

Early work to prepare the site has been completed, but has now stalled, until the key "anchor tenant" can be confirmed for development.

Estimated to cost £10m overall, it was also set to feature more shops, apartments and car parks. Work was initially meant to start in “late 2017”, but ground was eventually official broken in November last year.

Representatives of Advance Northumberland, the council company delivering the project, insist they remain "absolutely committed" to the scheme, and will begin discussions with other companies who might fill the gap.

But Bedlington Labour representatives have expressed their concerns.