Update on Bedlington redevelopment expected soon after contractor Surgo entered administration

Construction firm Surgo, appointed to deliver the second phase of the Bedlington project after previous contractors Tolent also folded, saw administrators appointed last week.

The development has been in the pipeline for the last eight years. In that time, just one retail unit, now operated by Greggs, has been completed on Market Place.

The second phase of the project includes three more new retail units as well as six apartments. Work got underway in November, but has now stalled pending the appointment of a new contractor.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the council’s Corporate Services and Economic Growth Scrutiny Committee, officials from Advance Northumberland gave councillors an update on the situation.

Director of projects Andrew Mowbray said: “We are in discussions with a number of contractors and sub-contractors. We felt that was the best and quickest way to get that project back on track.

“There is positive news expected in the next ten days. We are all working hard to get that one back on track.”

Bedlington West councillor Malcolm Robinson asked why Advance could not take over as they had done when Tolent collapsed. Mr Mowbray said that this was an option for the site.

He added: “We are exploring all options. With phase one, a lot of the building work was substantially completed, there was much less work to do.

“The decision taken to continue that in house was the right one. This time around, the foundations are just completed and the next stage would be to produce the steel frame, so it is much more appropriate to appoint a contractor.”

Officials said Advance would carry out due diligence on any contractor appointed, arguing that the issues that brought down Surgo could not have been forseen.

Speaking after the meeting, Bedlington Central councillor Christine Taylor said: “We are at a standstill yet again which is very disappointing. People are very frustrated.

“We are of course disappointed that the people who work for Surgo have lost their jobs, but we are also unhappy with the delay. If we did not have any bad luck, we would have no luck at all.”