‘MORE than just a visitor centre,’ The Sill is forecast to bring millions to the region’s economy as it opens next month.

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre at Once Brewed near Bardon Mill is set to open its doors for the first time on Saturday, July 29.

And as well as generating 120 new jobs, the flagship centre is also forecast to bring approximately £5m additional visitor spend to the region’s economy annually.

Director of Northumberland National Park Authority, Tony Gates and newly-appointed manager of The Sill, Sarah Glynn presented these figures to the meeting of Tynedale Local Area Council on Tuesday.

Sarah said: “The Sill will deliver substantial economic benefit to the region.

“£5m to the local economy annually and 120 additional jobs.

“Construction began in 2015 and we have seen £15m capital investment. It is more than just a visitor centre.”

The project has been supported by a £7.8m investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

And last year a £500,000 grant from Northumberland County Council enabled the scheme to continue.

The Sill is the UK’s first National Landscape Discovery Centre and features exhibitions about landscape, culture and heritage and several learning and exhibition spaces.

A 90-seat cafe dishing up local produce, a retail space, and rural business hub for local businesses and start-ups and a tourist information service will take up part of the centre.

An 86-bed youth hostel, complete with en-suite rooms, will adjoin the visitor centre.

The unique roof, offers views of the Vallum running parallel to the Wall.

Visitors can walk up on to the roof, which is fully wheelchair accessible, to enjoy the stunning views of Steel Rigg and the North Pennines.

Northumberland National Park is working with experts from Newcastle University to recreate the habitat of Northumberland National Park on the roof so the architecture will merge into the surrounding environment.

Sarah said: “Our plan is that The Sill will transform how the audience experiences and engages with this great landscape.

“Our first purpose is to conserve this wonderful environment; the best way to do that is to engage people with the landscape so they have a shared sense of ownership.”