A contractor has been appointed to a £30 million retail and leisure scheme in Durham. The development represents a huge part of the city's recent efforts to rejuvenate the city's Riverwalk.

Due for completion in autumn 2018 the development will include remodelling the existing shopping centre, the refurbishment of 23 shops and the creation of a six-screen cinema. The work will also include the creation of a 253 bed student accommodation block managed by Fresh Student Living.

Clearbell Capital, the fund behind the project, have appointed Sir Robert McAlpine to spearhead the delivery with 195 construction jobs set to be created, alongside 120 jobs to be created on completion.