DEVELOPERS behind a £10m redevelopment of a prominent site in Hexham have lifted the lid on a project which will bring 60 new jobs to the Tyne Valley.

Esh Construction has started work at Hexham’s former ‘Bunker’ site, which has stood dormant since its days as a nuclear bunker in the 1980s.

Work is under way to create 250 much-needed car parking spaces at the site, which will stand alongside a 69-bedroom Travelodge hotel and Lidl store.

And last week, fast food giant McDonald’s finally confirmed its plans to open a restaurant and drive through as part of the scheme.

Led by Newcastle-based Union Property Development Ltd, which purchased the site in October 2018, the scheme could yield an estimated £2.16m visitor spending boost for the town, according to the developers.

Gary Dobson, divisional director at Esh Construction, said: "Esh is delighted to be working with Union Property to deliver the transformation of this site which has been unoccupied for decades.

"The development of vacant sites like Hexham Bunker – which will boost visitor spending and create new jobs – is pivotal in the region's economic recovery from the pandemic.

"We're proud to be playing our part as a local contractor through the responsible procurement of local sub-contractors and supply for this development."

Plans for the new retail units were given the green light by Northumberland County Council in late 2019 and included outline consent for two further retail units.

Esh said significant infrastructure improvement works will be delivered on Alemouth Road and Station Road, including the formation of a new roundabout and a main access road into site to improve site access and pedestrian safety.

Peter Carruthers, consultant project director at Union Property, said: "Despite the economic uncertainty brought about by Covid-19, we are as committed as ever to delivering our development pipeline and are delighted to have now commenced work on site.

"We have worked closely with a variety of local stakeholders to design a scheme which will reflect the character of Hexham.

"This represents a very significant economic investment in the town and will bring a long-term vacant site back into use."

With a completion date of April 2022, Esh Construction is working in partnership with FaulknerBrowns Architects, Portland Consulting Engineers and kyoob.

Leading Light Gauge Steel Framing (LGSF)-specialist, Sigmat, recently announced its appointment by Esh to deliver the structure of the four-storey Travelodge hotel, which will begin this summer.

To find out more about Esh Construction, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk.

Esh Construction is part of Esh Group, a leading construction and built environment group of companies which operate across the North of England and Yorkshire.

Through its main trading company Esh Construction, the group provides civil engineering, commercial build, affordable housing, refurbishment, and facilities management a wide range of private and public sector clients.

Last week, McDonald's outlined its commitment to bring a a 110-seat restaurant and drive-through outlet, yielding more jobs.

Here's what McDonald's said: https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/19114864.mcdonalds-confirms-plans-hexham-northumberland-council-application/