Ashington £36 million town centre transformation has taken a significant step forward, with construction on two flagship projects due to start soon.

Northumberland County Council’s Cabinet has approved work to begin this spring on the new Portland Park Cinema and adjoining restaurant units, with delivery of the Wansbeck Square Gateway to follow this summer subject to final approvals.

The investments are central to the wider Regenerating Ashington Programme, designed to revitalise the town centre and bolster its retail and leisure offer.

Advance Northumberland will lead the cinema and restaurants scheme and has appointed Robertson Construction Group, one of the UK’s largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support service businesses, to deliver the development at Portland Park.

The project will provide five modern cinema screens, a family-orientated competitive socialising space and two restaurant units, creating a lively leisure destination for residents and visitors and complementing recent investment in the area.

Planning permission was granted last year, and REEL Cinema will operate the venue once complete. Portland Park Cinema and Restaurants is being developed by Advance Northumberland and funded by the UK Government (MHCLG), Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland.

The Wansbeck Square Gateway is expected to get underway this summer following final sign-off, creating a welcoming point of arrival for thousands of passengers using Ashington Rail Station.

Works include a new accessible footpath linking the station to the high street, alongside seating areas, landscaping and tree planting, as well as improved access to the neighbouring Memorial Garden.

The Gateway scheme is being funded by the UK Government (MHCLG), Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Business, Growth and Regeneration, said: “The cinema and restaurants project represents a significant investment in Portland Park, strengthening the town centre as a destination for entertainment, dining and socialising.

“It’s a real vote of confidence for Ashington, with these two projects building on the wider regeneration in the area including a new rail station and passenger rail line and a new college campus.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals