Plans to convert Darlington's Edward Pease House into museum

Darlington Borough Council has submitted a proposal to revive Edward Pease House as part of a multi-million regeneration project in the Northgate area of the town. 

The proposal details initial plans to restore and repair the existing building and convert the hot-food takeaway unit into a heritage/ museum space. Several other alterations to the interior and exterior have been proposed. 

The Grade II-listed building, at 142 Northgate, is one of several in the town that forms a significant part of Darlington’s railway heritage. 

The Grade II-listed building, at 142 Northgate, is one of several in the town that forms a significant part of Darlington’s railway heritage. (Image: The Northern Echo)

A planning statement reads: “The building is of particular interest due to the upcoming bicentenary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in 1825. As part of plans to revitalise the railway heritage of Darlington, it is the aspiration that the works at 142 Northgate will contribute towards this celebration of the birth of the railways.”

Today, the shops located within the building are Geo Mitchie Hardware, Domino’s Pizza, former takeaway Cusine Marmaris, Best Kebab, and Istanbul Barbers. The upper floors are described as being “generally unused”. 

Existing shopfronts along Northgate are described as “poor and deteriorating quality”, needing urgent action to improve the overall condition of businesses on Northgate. 

“The overarching aim is to bring back to life the ground floor as a heritage space, and the upper floors made watertight and safe, to bring these spaces into use at some point in the future as part of the longer-term goals,” the plans added. 

Edward Pease's former house on Darlington's Northgate. (Image: The Northern Echo) The plans involve reinstating the ground floor as two separate rooms: an exhibition space and ‘Pease’s Parlour’ - a historical replica room. Further plans to transform the site will be revealed in the coming months. 

Darlington Borough Council will consider the planning application in due course. 

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Praising the redevelopment plans, councillor Chris McEwan hailed the historical significance of Edward Pease House. The cabinet member for economy, said: “It is made up of several different properties, one of which is now owned by the council. We are working with partner organisations, including the Friends of Stockton & Darlington Railway, to consider the development of the whole building, celebrate it and drive economic growth in the area. 

“While these considerations are ongoing, we have decided to submit plans to install a new frontage to our property, refurbish and make useable the ground floor, tidy up the rear aspect and make the upper floors safe and watertight. 

“These measures will help preserve the integrity until the wider scheme can be progressed.”