WORK has started on a new retail park in Darlington.

Developers behind the four-acre Darlington North, which is almost fully let, said it will create 150 jobs and be open by spring next year.

The park is being built on Albert Road, next to its junction with North Road and Whessoe Road. It will include Aldi, Poundland and Iceland, together with a KFC Drive Thru restaurant, Card Factory, Jolleys Pet Store and a Barnados store.

There will be 157 free car parking spaces.

Stainforth Construction of Shipley are the main contractors.

Andrew Duncan, managing director of developers Opus North, said: “It is tremendous news that work has now started on site at Darlington North. The park will revitalise an important area of the town and provide a very attractive retail offering.

“Meanwhile the sale of Darlington North is a massive endorsement of Darlington as a retail location. We have worked hard, from assembling the land which was under different ownerships, to securing a raft of very popular and successful retail occupiers, so this sale is a satisfying conclusion.”

“We have also co-operated closely and successfully with planners at Darlington Borough Council. This is a very exciting development for the town of Darlington, creating jobs and boosting the economy.”

Opus North is funded by Palmer Capital, the London-based private equity real estate investment management company.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council said:

"It’s fantastic to see another developer putting their faith in Darlington, proving it’s a town worth investing in. I’m confident that this will be another popular destination for shoppers from both inside and outside of the borough."