The Bunker Site in Hexham, which is located behind Tesco and the railway line, has started its development. A Travelodge hotel, Lidl supermarket, a fast food restaurant and associated car parking will be built.
The owners of the site Union Property, expect the work to take over a year completing around April 2022.
The site has been dormant for many years with various rumoured plans not being achieved.
Councillor Derek Kennedy said “Hexham like many other areas has suffered greatly due to the pandemic and lockdown, with shops closing and others under pressure. We have to look to the future and be prepared to prosper. A hotel is a welcome addition and will encourage visitors and tourists to spend time and money in our town. There is so much positive development happening in Hexham at the moment which can only benefit the community in the coming years.”