A £2m facelift for the outdated Newgate Centre has been given the go-ahead by councillors.
Retail giant Asda is committed to improving the centre when it moves out to a new superstore due to be built at Wilson's Forge next year.
Plans include a glass roof, improved lighting, new doors, a clock feature and extra windows. At the front there will be new paving and seating and a five metre high glazed canopy extending on to the street.
Bishop Auckland councillor Margaret Jones told Wear Valley District's planning committee: "The Newgate Centre at the moment is dull and drab."
Leader Olive Brown said: "It is more like going into Newgate Prison than the Newgate Centre at present. Let us do everything we can to get both projects moving as quickly as possible."
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