Bedlington town centre retail scheme at a standstill as Labour Group Chair echoes MP and Local Labou

Scott Dickinson, who chairs Northumberland Labour Group, said: "The people of Bedlington were assured by the Tories and Bedlington independent councillors this scheme was safe. Now it looks like, despite their promises, the scheme is at a standstill. This is desperately disappointing to people living in Bedlington.

"Advance Northumberland was set up by Northumberland County Council as a successor to Arch to invest in, develop and regenerate the county. They've taken away incentives to encourage investors and retailers and have got the nerve to try and throw blame their way for walking away.

"Ian Lavery and The Bedlington Labour party are right. If the county council can't attract a private anchor investor they need to get together with other public bodies to see how they can make the much-needed regeneration of Bedlington town centre happen."

Ian Lavery MP for Wansbeck - Statement