The multi-million pound redevelopment of Darlington Library breathed new life into a much-loved historic building and helped reconnect residents with a key public service that was in need of a refurb. 

Now, council officers and politicians are focused on revitalising the surrounding area populated with several empty units and land, but lots of potential. 

After overseeing investment into some of the town’s main shopping areas - at the market, in the Yards and on Skinnergate - attention is now turning to the Priestgate and Crown Street area. 

A tender to procure a partner to redesign, refurbish and manage the former Northern Echo building has been published and is due to run until early November.

The building on Priestgate has been bought by the council and development is due to begin, using funding from the Towns Fund and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Initial plans suggest the ground floor will be refurbished and converted into an Adult Skills Centre, offering people the opportunity to pick up new skills and qualifications, whether to start their career path, retrain in a new industry or pick up employment training.

The Northern Echo: The former Wilko store in Darlington on Crown StreetThe former Wilko store in Darlington on Crown Street (Image: The Northern Echo)

Although the loss of the national retailer Wilko from Crown Street is a blow for trade, the town’s MP Peter Gibson is positive about the site’s future. He believes the former store is now freed up for potential redevelopment, including housing or more office space. 

“While it's sad to see the business go, and it’s a tragedy to see people lose their jobs, the freeing up of the site does open the opportunity for further improvements to the town centre,” the Conservative MP added. 

“I’ll be pushing to ensure that the site is included in future plans to improve our town centre, be that with residential, mixed use or commercial space.”

It comes as the Government recently purchased the permanent site of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) on nearby Brunswick Street. The structure will also accommodate the Department for Business and Trade, and construction is planned to begin on the new hub in October 2024 and expected to be complete in 2026.

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Over the road, the former Sports Direct site on East Street, Darlington was bought by the council in 2021 and later flattened for future development.

Demolition work on the building, which was once a bowling alley and nightclub, is complete and there are initial plans to build new office space. 

For Mr Gibson, he says the prospect of redevelopment is a “tremendous opportunity” for the town that can unlock millions of extra investment.