Cinema proposed for key Ashington site

The Portland Park site may also include eateries and retail stores. The options have been revealed following a consultation event in September.

It had been earmarked for the council’s new HQ, but the new Conservative administration decided to stay at County Hall in Morpeth and upgrade sections of the building after coming into power following the election last May.

An outline planning application is being worked on and this will run concurrently with efforts to identify a cinema operator and companies or individuals interested in the other retail units.

County council leader Peter Jackson gave a statement this week following a recent stakeholder meeting where the next stages in creating a vibrant town centre were discussed.

He said: “We listened to the public in September and the message came over loud and clear that they wanted us to look at a cinema offering to breathe new life into the town by complimenting the existing retail on Station Road. It has been over three decades since we had a commercial cinema in Ashington.

“But the studies commissioned following public suggestions show there is some real potential if the town gets firmly behind the idea.

“The next stage for us is to make it as easy a decision as possible for an operator to come here.

“In addition to the cinema, we were told by the people of Ashington that the previous idea of a few bus stops and no proper shelter was simply not on.”