Discount retailer B&M to move Cramlington store into former bingo hall site

B&M are set to open a new store at the unit formerly home to Buzz Bingo on Forum Way at Manor Walks.

The unit has been vacant since the bingo hall closed permanently in 2020.

B&M will relocate from their existing store at Westmorland Retail Park, which is part of Manor Walks, to the larger unit and will create 25 new jobs, according to the planning application.

MP Ian Levy said: "I welcome this expansion by B&M into larger premises in Cramlington which will bring new jobs to the town and allow B&M to offer a wider range to local residents.

“It is great to see this building, which has been empty since 2020, being brought back to life and I wish B&M every success with the project.”

The planning permission allows the retailer to fence off some parking spaces beside the unit to create a garden centre at the store.

They will additionally move the entrance from the south face of the building to the east face of the building.

A fence will also be constructed to enclose the store's service area, with a sprinkler system tank due to be installed too.

B&M currently employ 35 people at their Cramlington store and, according to the planning application, all these jobs will be transferred to the new store when it opens.

In 2019/20, the discount household goods retailer operated 656 stores nationwide, employed over 28,000 people, and had annual revenues of £3.14bn.