Darlington's empty M&S 'under offer' as arts centre set to find new home

Cornerstone Arts, which had been renting the former department store in Northgate, Darlington, has moved out of the building, which is currently standing vacant.

Savills is selling the site and told the Echo that the building is currently under offer.

The former M&S building in Darlington is under offer

Louise Maddison, who set up the arts centre, is hoping to move to new premises shortly.

And the NQA food bank, which was also based in the building, is reopening on Saturday at Pathfinder House, in Northgate.

Ms Maddison said: “All I can say at the minute is that we are working on something new.

“There’s a lot going on but it’s taking a bit of time to sort out so we’re sitting on our hands at the moment.”

Cornerstone Arts took on the huge building, which is spread over three floors, in January last year and had an official opening in August.

Cornerstone Art, Darlington's latest arts venue, in the town's former Marks and Spencer store. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

Despite the pandemic, which impacted on how much it was able to open during its 15 months, Ms Maddison said she was proud of what had been achieved.

When she started the venture, she was hoping to recreate the atmosphere of Darlington’s former arts centre, which attracted people like Mark Gatiss and Vic Reeves.

The centre in Vane Terrace closed in 2012 amid cuts by Darlington Borough Council.

She said: “I can’t believe what we managed to do. No one has opened a privately run community arts centre since the 1980s so to achieve it without a large level of experience is great. I think we managed to do a really good job and I’m still being contacted by people who are interested in being involved.

“I have the motivation to keep fighting to keep it going.

Cornerstone Art, Darlington's latest arts venue, in the town's former Marks and Spencer store. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

“The standard of work we managed to get blew me away. There’s definitely a need for that kind of resource in Darlington.”

She hopes the centre will have a new venue by June.

She added: “Any location is smaller than the M&S so we will have to downsize a bit but hopefully what we will end up with is something that’s better and stronger and it will be open to the public and will work to benefit the community.”

The NQA food bank opens in its new venue tomorrow, between 12pm and 5pm. It will also be open on Sundays and Tuesdays.