ONLINE retailer Amazon will today be confirmed as the occupier of a major new business park on the outskirts of Darlington, The Northern Echo understands.

Sources said last night that the business’s move into part of the 94-acre Symmetry Park site at Lingfield Point will be formally announced today. Construction of a new logistics centre has been underway for the past 18 months.

When the Amazon site is up and running, it is expected to employ thousands of people.

The Northern Echo first revealed Amazon were in talks over the potential move to Darlington, but the identity of the site’s main occupier has never yet been confirmed by those behind the scheme.

An application for outline planning permission has already been submitted for the next phase of the development, which could include restaurants, cafes, a pub, hotel, drive through takeaways and a petrol station.