THE former Hexham Bus Station is still for sale.

The Priestpopple disused station is on the market for £1.5m.

We asked our online readers to tell us what they'd like to see on the site.

A Courant poll saw that 38 per cent of respondents wanted to see the site turned into parking, while a close 30 per cent wanted more retail options.

Eighteen per cent voted for housing and 14 per cent for other.

Courant reader John Dunn said: "We need ACTION.

"In the short- term it needs tidying up, the car park land behind is derelict and dirty. Some hoarding with local historical art to camouflage it would be a start. Enforce the developers to do this.

"Give the bus station building to Beamish.

"With the new Mcdonald's car park, we have a good deal in the town, there is plenty empty retail opportunities, so for me, housing.

"We have all received info on the NCC grants in the town centre, why on earth is there no focus on this, the bus station? 

"Come on get our act together. I rarely comment on Facebook but this eyesore severely detracts from our town."

Planning consent was granted in November 2015 for various works on the site, including a retail scheme to the ground floor and thirty-five dwellings, but this consent has now expired.

In 2016, Dysart Developments announced plans to create 2,466 square metres of commercial space, as well as an underground car park, 31 apartments and five affordable homes, as well as a much-needed pedestrian route through to the home of Marks & Spencer and B&M stores on Maidens Walk.

The Courant then reported in 2018 that Northumberland County Council (NCC) wanted to create housing for the elderly, retail units and parking as part of the regeneration of the site built in 1930.

But a Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said the authority failed to agree terms with the owners of the site.

Five million remains allocated in the council's budget to develop the site, in addition to £2.4 million in Heritage Action Zone funding, it was reported last year.

Other suggestions by readers for the site included:

  • Bus station
  • Micro pub
  • Toilets 
  • Ice cream parlour/cafe
  • Post office
  • Tourist information centre
  • Sports track
  • Seating area
  • Garden
  • EV charging site 
  • Sensory soft play for children and disabled people 
  • Market stalls
  • Night club