Grade II listed building to be turned into offices

The refurbishment is being paid for using government money

Plans to restore a Grade II listed building in a town centre have been approved.

Darlington's 156 Northgate will be refurbished by the local authority and turned into office space.

The project is being paid for by the government's Towns Fund, which has allocated £23.3m to rejuvenate key parts of Darlington.

As part of the plans, the four-storey building will be made more accessible to people with disabilities.

The building was constructed in the early 19th Century as an annex to the former Darlington Technical College, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It was most recently used as a restaurant and bar and has been unoccupied ever since.

It was bought by Darlington Borough Council in June 2023.

The local authority said it would also demolish a conservatory on the site and convert it into an paved outdoor area.

It is hoped the office space will be ready for use by the end of 2025.