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Labour has called for a 'full and meaningful' consultation on the overhaul of Bedlington town centre in the wake of news that the project is getting back on track.
The opposition on Northumberland County Council has said this is required to "to ensure that any Bedlington development fits with the needs and ambitions of local residents and supports local businesses who have been loyal to the town".
It follows the announcement last week that building work on the retail scheme, which is being led by the council-owned company Advance Northumberland, will now start "early next year and will take approximately 12 months".
In January, it was announced that the redevelopment had stalled awaiting final sign-off from the anchor tenant - a major supermarket.
But Advance Northumberland's board recently approved a revised financial model and timetable, which relies on an extra cash injection of £1.4m from the county council.
In a statement this week, Coun Lynne Grimshaw, the shadow cabinet member for regeneration, said: " The Labour Group welcomes - despite the long delay - the council looking to get this severely scaled back project off the ground.
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It's almost time for a new host of girls to hit the catwalk as the final of Miss Newcastle 2019 takes place in the city this weekend.
The annual event is always a massive spectacle for the whole of the North East and now 13 contestants are aiming to steal the crown and follow in the footsteps of reigning Miss Newcastle Rebecca Gormley, who triumphed in an Arabian Nights themed finale last year.
Over 300 hopefuls applied this year and Gainford Group are one again hosting the glamorous grand finale at The County Hotel and before they've even taken to the runway for the first time, the 2019 finalists have already raised in excess of £20,000 for chosen charity The Chronicle Sunshine Fund, thanks to events ranging from dog walks to fashion shows and bag packs to pamper days.
A celebration of Style, Beauty & Talent... this year's final, hosted by Hannah Gray, draws inspiration from Aphrodite the Greek Goddess of Beauty & Love and will feature a performance from Ami Vaziri as Ariana Live.
The winner will receive a place in the Miss England final as well as a contract with Tyne Tyne Models'
And in an exciting week for the city, it was also revealed that the Miss England finals will be held in Newcastle for the first time.

A £377m wish list of ideas to spark a radical transformation of the North East's transport network has been revealed.
More frequent Metro trains, a restored rail service between Newcastle and Northumberland, station redevelopments, and new cycling infrastructure are all part of an ambitious campaign to secure a massive pot of Government cash.
The region's leaders are set to give their backing to a bid to the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) next week, which they say would be a massive boost to the local economy and reduce reliance on cars.
The North East - covering Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham - is one of 12 city regions shortlisted to submit bids for a share of £1.28bn of central funding.
And a draft version of a bid that will be put before council leaders next week, before being sent to the Department for Transport, reveals that the North East intends to ask for a maximum of £377.3m in funding.
That includes £108m to fund the twin tracking of the Metro between Pelaw and Tyne Dock - an upgrade that would allow for the daytime frequency of trains across the network to be increased from five to six per hour.

Community groups in Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley have been recognised for the work they do in their local community.

It might be summer but there was a distinct - and rather otherworldly - chill at a special event held this week to offer a glimpse of what to expect at an upcoming showcase party.
Some ghoulish early guests were setting the tone at The Boulevard cabaret club in Newcastle where Sage founder and philanthropist Graham Wylie offered a sneak peek of what to expect from a no-expense-spared Halloween Spectacular, complete with showbiz stars, that he is planning for October.
And the glimpse will no doubt scare up some decent ticket sales for the party which is out to raise money for charity.
The party, while held in association with Boulevard, will be staged in the Kingston Park grounds of Newcastle Falcons rugby club on the night before Halloween , October 30, and it's being described as "the scariest and most lavish party the North East has ever seen".
There are 500 tickets on sale and the party will feature performers in terrifying costumes out to scare uests who in turn are being encouraged to take costume inspiration from the Halloween parties thrown each year in America by the likes of supermodel Heidi Klum and Britain’s Jonathan Ross.
Mr Wylie said: “Halloween celebrations seem to get more elaborate and outlandish every year and I intend this Halloween Spectacular to be the most glittering, the most scary and the most lavish of them all.

The major redevelopment of Bedlington town centre is back on track – assuming Northumberland County Council signs off on £1.4million to support the scheme next week.

The Advance Northumberland Board approved the revised financial model and timetable for the Bedlington town centre development when it met last Friday.

A man has been arrested and charged after a "big increase" in reported burglaries targeting students in Jesmond and Heaton.
Northumbria Police officers say they have received 51 reports of burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles in just over a month.
The majority of victims are students with intruders gaining access to their home through an open window or unlocked door.
The police force say extra patrols have been stepped up by the local neighbourhood policing team to tackle offenders operating in the area.
And yesterday a man appeared in court after being arrested in the area on suspicion of burgling a property on Saint George’s Terrace in Jesmond.
Neighbourhood Inspector Julie Rana hopes the work of police will reduce the crime spates but has called on residents to keep their homes secure.

There is still time for everyone to have their say on proposals brought forward by Bedlington schools.