MP's Campaign For Town Centre Redevelopment

In 2007 Tesco unveiled plans to redevelop its Bedlington town centre store including the introduction of additional retail units and office space. In 2014 the residents of Bedlington are still waiting for work to begin despite a key town centre asset being handed over as part of the deal. The "Gap Site", a parcel of land in the heart of the market place remains unused and leaves the town's ongoing development in a state of limbo.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery has written to Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis requesting a meeting amid concerns that the proposed plans have now been "permanently shelved". He has started a campaign to request Tesco develop the site as promised or return the asset to someone that will.

Mr Lavery, speaking to Chronicle Live journalist Brian Daniel said, "The situation is a hugely disappointing one for everyone concerned particularly given that when originally passed by planners this scheme was heralded as the biggest single investment in the history of the town. The failure to progress this development leaves Bedlington in a state of limbo.

"Accessibility from the car park at the rear entrance to the store is a huge issue with the steep ramps proving problematic for shoppers with full trolleys let alone those with children in pushchairs, the disabled or the elderly," he said.

"Furthermore the failure to progress the development leaves the undeveloped gap in the centre of the town's Market Place as a continued eyesore in what is otherwise an extremely attractive tree-lined main thoroughfare through Bedlington.

"Many people were also so looking forward to the proposed development providing much-needed new office and retail space for small local businesses and that has not happened either.

"It is my belief that Tesco has an obligation to the people of Bedlington to review its plans for the store and the wider town centre, because failure to do so will have far reaching consequences for the town.

"I would welcome a meeting with Mr Lewis to discuss a potential way forward on this dilemma."

The campaign is currently requesting the signatures of local residents in support of his proposal and at the time of writing had 17 signatures.