The former Wilko in Darlington could be demolished
The former Wilko store in Darlington could be demolished as part of major town centre redevelopment plans.
Darlington Borough Council has announced its intention to redevelop the East Street building after the national retailer closed in 2023.
Town centre bosses say the work would support recent investment in the former Northern Echo Building, Darlington Library, and nearby Brunswick Street – the future home of the Darlington Economic Campus.
The council owns the freehold of the East Street site and is now set to acquire the long leasehold interest of the whole building. Following the acquisition, the site could be retained as a key town centre facility providing retail, leisure, offices or residential development.
But officers also haven’t ruled out demolition. “Ideally the building would be demolished at the earliest opportunity,” a report said.
Purchasing the site is believed to cost between £300,000 and £350,000.
If nothing is done it is feared the state of the site could impact wider redevelopment projects in the area. Cllr Mandy Porter, cabinet member for resources, told a cabinet meeting: “It’s fundamental that we take the site back. We need to be ambitious in our plans and we believe that it’s the best option for the development of the town.”
The council warned that the current owner could sell the property to an inactive and obstructive landlord. “Vacant buildings usually fall into disrepair, become targets for vandalism and anti-social behaviour,” the report added.
New offices could be built on the former Sports Direct site next to the former Wilko building. Over the road, the Treasury building on Brunswick Street is due to be built by 2027.
The council-owned car park above the former Wilko store remains open.
However, local Conservatives are concerned the plans could severely impact the council’s financial future. Local party leader Jonathan Dulston warned: “How can we justify it? What’s difficult to understand is that we’re potentially going to fall off a cliff in two years, yet we are in a position to sign off on a further £350,000 of pressures into the budget.
“It doesn’t seem right to the average person on the doorstep.”
Cllr Dulston’s concerns were shared by the Green Party. Matthew Snedker, party leader, added: “There’s a risk attached to this particularly when we’re so stretched. People will be asking where else we could spend the £300,000 when the roads haven’t been swept or their play park is in disrepair.”
But the council said not acquiring the site would be a missed opportunity to regenerate a significant proportion of the town centre in a coherent approach.
“We would be foolish not to address this,” said Council Leader Stephen Harker.
“In terms of finances, it’s absolutely the wrong time, but the bigger picture is that it is right for the town. It requires patience but without control of the land we don’t have a say on the future.”