A huge leisure development has reiterated that they are committed to seeing their County Durham project "to fruition", after an MP said their shopfront was a "stain" on the street. 

STACK, which has taken over the former M&S location on Durham's Silver Street, has said that work has begun to spruce up the shopfront. 

Last week, Durham City's MP Mary Kelly Foy, asked the business to "urgently address the situation on Silver Street", as the "image of a huge, boarded up, former Marks and Spencers store" ends up "etched" onto visitors' memories.

Now, in combination with Durham BID, STACK leaders have vowed to improve the city centre store's "outside facia", to "make the former Marks & Spencer store look more attractive while development plans progress."

A spokesperson for STACK said: “We are mindful that there are plans underway to spruce up the whole of Silver Street so it looks more appealing to visitors and, with this in mind, we are partnering with Durham BID on a special project to improve the outside fascia and make the former Marks & Spencer store look more attractive while development plans progress.

The company has opened their Lincoln locations this year, and has previously announced further venues in Bishop Auckland, Middlesbrough, and Whitley Bay. 

The business added that the transformation of the former Marks & Spencer unit and the upper floors is a "huge project" which is "firmly in our expansion pipeline."

They said: “We are fully committed to bringing STACK Durham to fruition and look forward to sharing more news as the project progresses.”

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Previously, STACK has said the new Durham venue will create a “leisure and social community hub concept” that will “substantially contribute to the city centre’s overall vitality and viability, and support and enhance both its day and night-time economies”.

A new rooftop area has also been proposed, with a new shop front design like other STACK venues. On the ground floor, there will be eight food traders and two ground areas surrounding a central seating ‘plaza’ area. A stage will host live music and comedy.

There will be four more food traders and two more bars on the first floor, with the second floor designated for a games area. A licence to consume alcohol from 10am to 12am Monday to Thursday, extended to 1am on Friday and Saturday, was granted by Durham County Council, and includes an extension until 2am on New Year’s Eve and bank holidays.