A former railway pub has been officially opened as a convenience store following a failed campaign to save the drinking establishment.
The former Fighting Cocks pub in Middleton St George, which was more recently known as Platform 1, is now a Sainsbury’s Local shop.
Work has been taking place to convert the building after a campaign to save it as a community venture failed.
There had been significant opposition to the proposals for the shop conversion when they were lodged with Darlington Borough Council.
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Sainsbury’s is employing 24 people to run the shop, which is in Darlington Road and will be open between 7am and 10pm seven days a week.
It was opened by members of the community, with Marion Ogle, from Middleton St George Community Centre chosen to cut the ribbon.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “I'm delighted that we have been able to open our first Sainsbury's Local in Middleton St George, ensuring that a historic building will continue to be maintained and put to good use for many years to come.
"We've worked hard to create a store that everyone will enjoy and I hope our colleagues and customers are as pleased with the result as I am.”
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Amanda Laverty, store manager, said: “My team and I are thrilled to have opened our doors to the people of Middleton St George today and we look forward to getting to know our new customers in the coming weeks and months. Thank you to our developers, my new team and to the local community for all the support that has helped us turn this great new store into a reality.”
The supermarket occupies a 2,827 sq ft space in the repurposed building, which has been extended.
The team is working with nearby food donation partner, St George and St Lawrence Foodbank, which has been running since 2020, and Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway to support a project that plans to map key points of interest along the route of the former train line, including the site of the new store, with public information displays in advance of its bicentenary in 2025.
The Friends organisation is trying to create a walking and cycling route along the line.
It had been hoped the community could buy the pub, which closed for good in the second lockdown in 2020, and more than £100,000 had been informally pledged to the campaign.
However, it was not enough to save the venue, with Sainsbury's successful in purchasing the building.
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