A long-term vacant filling station and shop is getting ready to open in Middlesbrough.

Esso is moving onto the site at Middlehaven's Gateway Retail Park off the A66 and Londis will be the store operator. Signs have gone up and a major fit-out is well under way.

The forecourt was meant to accompany a Sainsbury's supermarket but has stood empty for eight years. Permission was granted for the filling station back in 2014.

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But the following year, the supermarket pulled out of moving from its Wilson Street home to the 80,000 square ft scheme. The huge, deserted development became known as the 'ghost store' site.

Three years later, Sainsbury's submitted a controversial new application to sub-divide the enormous store into five smaller units.

The proposed supermarket is now home to a B&M, Argos, Food Warehouse and Bargain Booze while Costa, KFC and the Six Medals pub are also at the park.

Other big names are also opening nearby at a separate development along the A66 at South Bank.

Burger King has opened a drive-thru at a development along the same stretch of the A66, with Taco Bell set to open its first Teesside restaurant next-door within days.

The Mexican-style chain has confirmed its drive-thru branch, opposite the SG Petch car dealership, will be serving its first customers on February 16. Greggs is also planning to open a drive-thru at the same development.

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