Milburngate Durham: BrewDog, Everyman and Premier Inn update

The Milburngate development, which was scheduled to be open by the end of 2022 in the heart of Durham City, has run into several issues, including Gateshead-based construction company Tolent going into administration in 2023, as well as concerns over resolving several 'fire safety issues' at the site.

The major development, a joint venture of Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, was scheduled to feature 153 built-to-rent apartments, and office space, alongside several businesses including BrewDog, Premier Inn and Everyman Cinema. 

An image of when building work first started at Milburngate in 2021 (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) But it remains unopened, with signage and branding for several units - including BrewDog, Premier Inn and Everyman Cinema - remaining in place for two years without seeing a single customer.

In an update, the developers of the Milburngate site said that they are looking for a resolution to the "deadlock" and hope that the "impasse" can be resolved soon. 

A spokesperson for the developers said: "Dialogue is ongoing between the parties. Various options are being considered in order to seek a resolution to the deadlock and allow us to move forward and complete this important development for the city.”

The Milburngate site left empty (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Durham County Council has also confirmed talks are ongoing and that communications with BrewDog, Premier Inn and Everyman are continuing.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Milburngate is an important development and whilst the council does not own it, we are continuing to work with the funder and developer towards the safe opening of the site for the benefit of residents, our city, county and local economy, as soon as is possible.

"We have advised tenants we are working with the funder and developer, and will update them as soon as possible.”

An overview of the Milburngate development (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Previously, BrewDog, whose bar sits empty on the front of Milburngate, has expressed frustration at investing £1m into Milburngate and not been able to open - hitting out at the "never-ending bureaucratic red tape". 

A spokesperson for the pub chain said: "We are very eager to bring BrewDog to Durham, but we still have no clear message from the council, or development management when the Milburngate location can open.

"We are actively calling on all parties to allow the venues to open to the public as soon as possible.

BrewDog, Premier Inn and Everyman are some of the names who have been waiting to open businesses at Milburngate (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) "While we believe there is a clear path forward in safely opening the completed areas of the site, unfortunately, it looks to be held up in never-ending bureaucratic red tape. If and when we get the green light, we can move quickly.”

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Despite large parts of the site already built, including the BrewDog, Premier Inn and Everyman Cinema venues, there is no opening date in sight for any of them. Meanwhile, Durham County Council and developers have urged each other to reach a conclusion.

While the talks are ongoing, developers previously said that the site will be "kept secure and maintained".

Question marks over when a resolution will be reached have been raised by the public, councillors and politicians at various stages of the project, both before and after Tolent's collapse.