A TOWN market place is set for a business boost with two of its biggest buildings expected to be occupied after months of standing empty.

National pub chain JD Wetherspoon hopes to open a bar and restaurant in the former Hewitts solicitors offices in Bishop Auckland this autumn.

The company will spend £1.7m converting the Grade II listed building, which has been empty since the solicitors relocated in the New Year.

Having received planning permission and a licence, the company will start building on August 2 and expects to open on October 31.

The redevelopment will create 30 jobs to boost the district's continued efforts to rebuilt its economy following the loss of 890 jobs in 2002 and 2003.

Company spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We have been looking to move into Bishop Auckland for a while and look forward to being in the heart of the town and part of the regeneration of the area.

"We will respect the grade II listing of the site during conversion and though we haven't chosen a name yet it will be of local or historic significance."

The pub will have no entertainment and will include a no-smoking area and may seek permission to open at 10am to serve breakfasts and allow children in during the day.

A second landmark building in the market place, the former Barclays bank, is also expected to be reoccupied after going back on the market as a freehold for £500,000.

It could also become a pub or restaurant as it has a provisional full licence.

A spokesman for estate agents Ian Moralee and Co said: "We have had a lot of interest and hope to secure a suitable purchaser in the near future.

"We have noticed a substantial shortage of freehold buildings in large cities - this has meant people are looking further afield to invest cash with the result that smaller towns such as Bishop Auckland are seeing a regeneration similar to bigger cities."

Town centre manager Derek Toon said: "I welcome JD Wetherspoon coming to the town, because it will hopefully bring people into the bottom end of town during the day.

"Whoever comes into the old bank site will revitalise a redundant building and increase the number of people in Bishop Auckland."