HALTWHISTLE’S dilapidated former paintworks site can become one of the North’s premier business hubs.

That’s the bold claim of Manchester-based MCR Property Group, which has unveiled ambitious plans to transform the site it purchased for £1m in October last year from previous owner Trans Britannia Properties.

The site is currently home to more than 20 businesses, but at 230,000sq ft, it is only 50 per cent occupied.

MCR has already cleaned out guttering and carried out other essential repair work.

But this week, the firm said a bigger project was set to get under way, which would see the refurbishment of the site’s many buildings and business units.

And that could lead to jobs being made available on the old paintworks site, which was South Tynedale’s main employer for half a century before its closure in 2002.

MCR’s Gregor King said: “MCR Property Group has exciting and ambitious plans to transform Hadrian Enterprise Park into one of the premier business hubs in the North of England.

“Its unique location almost midway between the two principal road arteries running north to south between Scotland and England makes it ideal.

“With office and business units accommodating up to 100 people, and industrial space from under 100sq m, to over 5,000sq m, MCR believes we have the right premises for just about any type of business.”

Mr King said the firm has been liaising with Haltwhistle Town Council, and is also keen to hire local contractors to carry out the refurbishment work.

In addition, a marketing strategy is under way to ensure Hadrian Enterprise Park appealed to businesses looking for a new home.

He added: “We are looking forward to commencing improvement works and have been engaging with local businesses to tender for the refurbishment work required.

“The marketing of the site will begin imminently and we are engaging with the local council to find the best strategy to attract occupiers and jobs to the area.”

In 2009, a roundabout was built at a cost of £3.6m, providing access to the site from the A69 trunk road. It was built with the hope of investment and jobs arriving at the site. Eight years on, and MCR is determined to maximise the full potential of the Hadrian Enterprise Park.