News and events

A bold remit to improve prosperity, quality of life and increase business activity

National Retailer Completes on Ashington town centre scheme

The multi-million-pound scheme to transform Ashington town centre has taken another step forward as Advance Northumberland completed the sale of land to national retailer Home Bargains for a new 20,000 sq. ft Home Bargains store.

An exciting addition to the retail line up of Portland Park, Home Bargains are now on site with the build out of a new store with over 100 car parking spaces to complement the existing 40,000 sq. ft of space Advance Northumberland currently has planned for this flagship town centre scheme.

Home Bargains made their planning application last year and aim to have the store open in early 2022. The £5m investment from TJ Morris (Home Bargains) will create 70 jobs when complete with additional jobs during the construction phase.

A range of smaller shops will also be developed by Advance Northumberland to encourage both national and local traders and provide a gateway into the more established retail offer on Station Road.

In January this year, Advance Northumberland secured planning consent for the Portland Park scheme which includes a multi-screen cinema, restaurants and car parking, with outline planning permission also granted for up to 12,000 sq. ft of additional retail space and more car parking.

Last year Advance Northumberland also successfully exchanged contracts with Reel Cinema who have agreed to anchor a 17,000 sq. ft, multi-screen cinema that will provide the leisure offer for Portland Park in a scheme that is set to transform Ashington and deliver a new contemporary offer that is bucking the trend of many other UK town centres. Reel Cinemas is a nationwide cinema operator with 14 cinemas across the UK and remains a true local, family owned, independent cinema operator.

Home Bargains said: “We’re thrilled to be delivering a new store in Ashington. Portland Park will be a great location for us and we’re proud to be able to offer local people top-branded goods at exceptionally low prices."

Richard Wearmouth, Chair of Advance Northumberland, said: “It’s fantastic news that working on behalf of Northumberland County Council, Advance Northumberland has been able not only to secure high quality private investment into Ashington but also ensure we have an attractive new, high quality mixed use development on this very important site. It will bring new jobs into the town centre and attract many new visitors, increasing spend and footfall so that the whole of Ashington will benefit.”

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.