Hundreds of new jobs are set to come to County Durham as local officials launch a new project on a multi-million-pound cinema and leisure complex.

Earlier this year, work began on a new £40m development scheme at the Fieldon Bridge Retail Park in Bishop Auckland.

Councillors, developers, and financial backers were all present as they gathered to officially launch the Tindale project which will create 454 jobs.

The exciting new development will comprise of a seven-screen multiplex cinema, a multi-lane bowling and laser quest centre, a 24/7 gym, five restaurants, along with a range of national retailers and local operators.

Read more: First images revealed of new cinema and leisure complex in Bishop Auckland

The Northern Echo:

The site's progress was reviewd by Simon Kirkby and Glynn Hollis of Clegg Construction Group; Michael Siddle, Mayor of Bishop Auckland; Cllr Rob Yorke; David Maddan, CEO The Auckland Project; David Land, Chair of Stronger Towns Fund, and Cllr George Smith.

Cllr Yorke said he is looking forward to the investment in the regeneration of Bishop Auckland and the new jobs this scheme will create.

He said: “I am pleased work has finally begun.

Bishop Auckland is undergoing transformational change with hundreds of millions being spent in the north end of the town and now we’re seeing a £40M development in the southern end.

“We welcome this investment and the new jobs it will create."

The 150,000 square foot retail and leisure park is being built on the 14-acre site, on the east side of the current Tindale retail park.

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The Northern Echo:

Earlier this year, the first images of the development emerged after company Studio Anyo released an artist's impression of the leisure complex.

Chris Dacre, Owner and CEO Fieldon Bridge Developments, said: “This is an exciting development and one that we have been pushing to start for several years, we’ve endured Brexit and the Pandemic and I’m absolutely delighted we have now been able to start and are making significant progress.

“Bishop Auckland offers a wealth of opportunities and we are heartened to see the Auckland Project spending over £200M in the town.

"We’ve had fantastic support from Cllr Rob Yorke and we see Bishop Auckland as a key area of regeneration, as we focus on completing works by next summer."

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