Major funding secured for historic building revamp

A multimillion funding package has been secured to redevelop an historic town centre building.

Up to £11.4 million will be invested in the renovation of the Northern Echo building, in Priestgate, Darlington.

The revamp will include an adult skills hub - considered a "high priority" for the town - as well as commercial office space, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The site was bought by Darlington Borough Council in 2022, and is part of wider plans to regenerate the town centre, the local authority said.

Funding for the redevelopment has been boosted by £6.3m from the Towns Fund in addition to a £5.1m contribution by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.

Original plans submitted by the council, which is run by a Labour/ Liberal Democrat coalition, focused soley on renovating the ground floor of the site, but revised proposals to extend works to the upper floors were recently approved.

'Help local people stay local'

Darlington MP Peter Gibson said the plans will help to "level up" the town.

"The acquisition, and redevelopment, of the landmark Northern Echo Building to deliver essential adult education is a key part of these projects and will continue to help local people stay local, but go far,” he said.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Our funding will provide much-needed commercial space to attract and grow businesses, while also supporting essential training to help people secure the well-paid, skilled jobs that are being created right across Darlington, Teesside and Hartlepool.

His words were echoed by Chris McEwan, deputy leader of the Council: "The redevelopment of the Northern Echo building presents an ideal opportunity to help more people into high-quality, well-paid employment.

"Alongside this, the proposed office space is in high demand and these plans will help to ensure we have the right infrastructure for people wanting to bring their business to Darlington and bring more jobs to the town."