Tesco wants to increase the size of its store by 17,000 sq ft, creating around 80 new jobs.

Its multi-million pound investment would also fill the "gap site" at the corner of the Market Place.

SEE VIDEO OF PLAN
Tesco Proposal - Bedlington

As part of the proposal six retail units would be provided for local businesses.

In addition there would be an Enterprise Centre - containing 15 offices - providing high quality space in a prime location.

These would also be for local businesses.

Tesco's proposal coincides with the £2m Bedlington Townscape Heritage Initiative - funded by Wansbeck Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Northumberland County Council - that will help restore historic Front Street buildings and re-establish the Market Place as a focal point for shopping and business. That work is due to start in January.

Tesco's corporate affairs manager Doug Wilson said: "This is a very exciting proposal that will mean new jobs and a far greater choice and shopping experience for Tesco customers.

"We are delighted to be able to play such a key role in the regeneration of Bedlington town centre."

The plan has the support of Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy.

He said: "Bedlington has needed a development like this for more than 20 years and the fact that we will get a large Tesco right in the town centre, an enterprise centre and more retail units - all designed in keeping with Front Street - is excellent news."

Wansbeck Council's regeneration manager and Go Wansbeck programme director Ray Browning said: "Tesco has worked in partnership with council officers over several months to design a scheme that reflects the architectural character of the town centre and that, critically, incorporates business space to fulfil the council's objectives to create opportunities for new and small businesses.

"The council will shortly be seeking Go-Wansbeck Board grant support for the development of circa 1,000 sq m of retail and enterprise units that will face onto the historic Market Place."

He added: "Tesco's arrival in the town last year had an immediate and positive impact on footfall and it seems reasonable to expect that their expansion plans, plus smaller retailers attracted to the new units, will persuade many more local people to use their town centre rather than visit out of town supermarkets further afield."

If the plan gets the go ahead, the Enterprise Centre would be managed by Wansbeck Life.

Its chief executive Bob Stephenson said: "This is not only an excellent way to revitalise the town centre, it will also provide many of the new businesses springing up in the area the opportunity to be based in the very heart of a new and re-energised Bedlington town centre."