Developers Morpeth II, made up of Dransfield Properties and Ethel Austin Properties, have appointed construction company Mansell to transform the run down Sanderson's Arcade into a landmark Edwardian style mall.

The car park at the rear of Morpeth Comrades Club will be closed from Monday for preparation work, with demolition and construction getting under way on July 21.

Dransfield Managing Director Mark Dransfield said: "We are pleased to be announcing Mansell as the contractor for our development in Morpeth and are looking forward to getting on site and delivering the scheme, which we know has been long awaited in the town.

"We have already had a great deal of interest in the scheme and as well as those retailers who are already signed up, we are in talks with other major national companies who are keen to have a presence in Morpeth.

"People will start to see more activity on site over the next few weeks as preparations for construction work get under way."

The development will offer 85,000 sq ft of retail space, offices, a landscaped piazza and an extension to the existing Morrisons store. There will also be a new bus interchange and car parking facilities.

Marks & Spencer has signed up to be the anchor tenant, with other national retailers New Look, O2 and Starbucks also taking units. Local businesses Healthi Choice and The Jewellers Guild, which trade in the existing arcade, are transferring to the new mall.

Mansell Regional Managing Director Bill Aitchison said:
"We are all looking forward to getting on site to begin work on the delivery of Sanderson Arcade, which we know will provide a tremendous addition to the centre of Morpeth."