Morrisons plans spring opening in Amble as Northumberland town's regeneration project takes shape

The supermarket’s arrival will provide an improvement to the town’s shopping offer and dozens of new jobs.

James Smith, Morrisons senior development manager, said: “The new Morrisons in Amble will offer customers fresh food made by our talented foodmakers as well as creating new local jobs.

“We look forward to the site taking shape and welcoming the community through our doors in the next couple of months.”

Coun Jeff Watson, ward member for Amble West with Warkworth on Northumberland County Council, added: “The progress made by Amble in recent years has been tremendous and this is another great boost for the area - both in terms of the retail offer and job opportunities for local people.”

The supermarket forms part of a wider plan to create Amble Retail Park on the southern gateway into the town.

The development, anchored by a 25,000 sq. ft. Morrisons food store, will be complemented by a number of other national and local retailers, a petrol filling station and a drive thru coffee shop.

The opening of The Amble Inn just over a year ago has been seen as the catalyst for the project to revive a site which had been vacant since a food factory closed in 2011.

The £4million pub with rooms on Sandpiper Way, operated by The Inn Collection Group, created the equivalent of 30 full time jobs.

Richard Wearmouth, chairman of Advance Northumberland, said: “I was delighted to help officially open The Amble Inn last year – it is a fantastic asset both for visitors and the local community.

“Amble is an excellent example of a town which is undergoing a great economic transformation.

“This includes attracting private investment into Northumberland, creating new opportunities while boosting the economy of Amble and surrounding towns.”

Advance Northumberland is leading delivery of the project on behalf of the county council.

The Morrisons store will be around the same size as the Alnwick branch, and will feature a coffee bar, butcher, bakery, salad bar and children’s clothes.