There is "significant interest" from a UK-based investor that has plans for the Darlington's Binns building, The Northern Echo can reveal. 

It comes after the news that House of Fraser had planned to stay in its home on High Row "for the foreseeable future" before the closure was announced earlier this month. 

Frasers Group previously said the reason behind the closure was due to the landlord's decision to terminate the lease, with a closing date now set for late November. 

Now, a source close to the project has told The Northern Echo that one potential bidder - an unknown UK-based investor - has expressed a "significant interest" in the historic building. 

Binns on High Row, in DarlingtonBinns on High Row, in Darlington (Image: PAUL NORRIS)

It is understood that there may be two expressions of interest in the building - although one is more "significant" and reportedly has plans for the site, which would, as standard, be subject to planning approval.

As previously reported, the news of the closure sparked fears it could be the "nail in the coffin" for the town, which has a history with Binns dating back more than 100 years.

It came months after The Northern Echo reported on how the building had been put up for sale by its owners, understood to be Arab investors, leaving a question mark over its future. 

Binns has been a staple in Darlington for more than 100 yearsBinns has been a staple in Darlington for more than 100 years (Image: PAUL NORRIS)

Speculation has been rife over the future use of the building since The Northern Echo revealed the news of the House of Fraser closure, with many hoping another retail chain would step in. 

Marks and Spencer and Primark have since both confirmed they have no plans to open a new store in the Binns building, which remains on the market. 

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Interest from potential buyers comes as no surprise, with Darlington Council Chief Executive Ian Williams previously telling The Echo: “I understand there has been interest but that hasn’t crystalised into anything formal yet."

However, it looks unlikely that the authority will step in to buy the building - which has a price tag of £1m - after Mr Williams all but ruled out the council putting in a bid. 

The Northern Echo has contacted the agents of the landlord for comment but has not yet received a response.