FORTY of the region's leading commercial property agents have gathered to launch the next phase in a development in Gateshead.

The 152,000sq ft Maingate, in the Team Valley, by UK Land Estates, will include an eight-storey hotel and a seven-storey office block, as well as retail and leisure facilities.

Work is under way on the 116-bed hotel, which will be the latest addition to the Tulip Inn chain. The site will be completed by the end of next summer.

Gary Hudson, development director for UK Land Estates, said: "This is the largest development that has taken place on the Team Valley over recent decades. It will greatly extend the range of retail and leisure facilities available on the Valley and help to make it a much more attractive working environment."