BOOKSHOP firm Ottakars is poised to complete a deal for a key town centre site.
The Northern Echo understands the chain will take over the former Dressers store, in High Row, Darlington.
Dressers, which had been in the town for more than 100 years, closed in April this year and the property was bought by developer Terrace Hill.
Months of speculation followed as to who would take over the prominent site, which has stayed boarded up.
It has also been the focus of criticism, having been described as "a mess".
Terrace Hill, of Teesside, said this week it was exchanging contracts with an unnamed firm with a view to completing a deal.
The developer has already sold the sister store, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, to Ottakers, which has a unit in Darlington's Cornmill Centre.
This would have to be filled if the deal for the High Row site was completed.
Ottakars has been unable to comment on the Darlington move.
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