A multi-million-pound funding package has been secured to redevelop a historic Darlington town centre building. 

Up to £11.4 million has been invested in the renovation of the Northern Echo building, in Priestgate. 

The site was bought by Darlington Borough Council in 2022, and is part of wider plans to regenerate the town centre. It will include an adult skills hub alongside commercial office space.

The council’s original plan for the site focussed on renovating the ground floor, but revised proposals to extend works to the upper floors were recently approved. 

The Northern Echo: The council’s original plan for the site focussed on renovating the ground floor, but revised proposals to extend works to the upper floors were recently approved. The council’s original plan for the site focussed on renovating the ground floor, but revised proposals to extend works to the upper floors were recently approved. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

It is hoped the new plan will create more commercial letting space to help address the increased demand in the town following the opening of the government’s Treasury campus.

It will also support ambitions to increase collaboration between businesses and education providers, the council said, helping to ensure learners gain relevant experience and are ‘job ready’.

Funding for the redevelopment has been boosted by £6.3 million from the Towns Fund and £5.1 million from the Tees Valley Combined Authority. 

David Gartland, Darlington Town Board vice chair, said: “We are delighted that the Towns Fund has accepted our revised proposals and that we are able to take the next steps in regenerating this important and historic building. Adult learning is a high priority for the town and this redevelopment project is aligned with that.”

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The Northern Echo: The site was bought by Darlington Borough Council in 2022The site was bought by Darlington Borough Council in 2022 (Image: Sarah Caldecott)Cllr Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, said the long-awaited redevelopment of the building will be a boon for the town. He added: “The proposed office space is in high demand and these plans will help to ensure we have the right infrastructure for people wanting to bring their business to Darlington and bring more jobs to the town.”

Darlington MP Peter Gibson said the plans will help to ‘level up’ the town. “The acquisition, and redevelopment of the landmark Northern Echo Building to deliver essential adult education is a key part of these projects and will continue to help local people stay local but go far,” he said. 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Our funding will provide much-needed commercial space to attract and grow businesses while also supporting essential training to help people secure the well-paid, skilled jobs that are being created right across Darlington, Teesside and Hartlepool.”