Council outlines 'ambitious' redevelopment of Darlington town centre

Darlington Borough Council has reaffirmed its ambition to redevelop three areas of the town centre: Kendrew Street, East Street and Commercial Street - and create residential, mixed-use and office-led commercial developments. 

The former Wilko store in Darlington could be demolished or repurposed into a mixed-use retail and leisure space. The site of the former Sports Direct building has also been cleared for future development. 

Meanwhile, the former Northern Echo building has been bought and work has started to transform this building into an Adult Training Hub on the ground floor and office space on the upper floors. 

The former Wilko store on East Street, Darlington (Image: The Northern Echo)

At Commercial Street, the council hopes to demolish the former Route 66 and Aruba nightclubs and use the land for future development. 

However, council officials have so far failed in bids to acquire the Northgate House tower block.

What does the regeneration project involve?

Commercial Street - the existing surface car park and the cleared site on Union Street 

Kendrew Street - Kendrew Street car park, Northgate House, and the adjacent buildings in private ownership 

East Street - comprising the former Wilko and Sports Direct stores 

The former Aruba and Route 66 nightclubs on Commercial Street (Image: The Northern Echo)

It has been described by council officials as “a large and ambitious regeneration initiative” that has not been seen since the town centre remodelling works in the 1960s and 80s. 

However, there are challenges. Recent retailing and business trends have driven a downturn in fortunes for several parts of the town centre, resulting in what once were quality high street shops becoming empty or accommodating secondary or low grade uses. 

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Council officials have so far failed in bids to acquire the Northgate House tower block. (Image: The Northern Echo)

The council hopes the redevelopment will convince inward investors and businesses that Darlington town centre is the right location for them and their employees.  But private investment is key to ensuring the project’s future. 

Local authority officials also hope to appoint a private development partner to provide specialist development skills and expertise on the project over 10-15 years. 

Councillor Mandy Porter told a cabinet meeting of the importance of the council’s plans for the future of the town. “We need to be ambitious in our plans and we believe that it’s the best option for the development of the town,” said the cabinet member for resources.