HUNDREDS of jobs have been secured in a North-East town - and more could be created - after an outsourcing firm signed a deal to move into new premises, The Northern Echo can reveal. 

Later this year, Capita will set up base on Lingfield Point Business Park, in Darlington after agreeing terms for 42,000 sq ft of space to accommodate about 450 of its staff.

The firm, which handles a wide range of contracts for the private and public sector, will shift workers based at its existing sites in Darlington to newly-converted offices on the award-winning business park. 

The deal is a major coup for property firm Clearbell LLP which bought Lingfield Point, the former site of Patons and Baldwins wool factory, from developer Marchday at the end of last year. 

Clearbell plans to invest £30m in the park over the next five years to upgrade services, build commercial and residential properties, and attract new business to Darlington. 

Securing the Capita jobs is a welcome boost for the town following last month's blow that subsea firm DeepOcean was cutting a third of the 136 staff employed at its Coniscliffe Road offices in response to the collapse in oil prices which has hit the offshore industry. 

There is also uncertainty about the town's biggest private employer EE following the announcement that is was being bought by BT in a £12.5bn deal. BT bosses have remained tight-lipped about potential job losses among EE's 2,000 Darlington-based call centre workers, but they have admitted the deal will lead to cost cuts when the two telecoms companies combine.

However, DIY firm The Range is creating 100 jobs in the town.

The Capita contract will take the number of staff employed across Lingfield Point's businesses, which include Amec Foster Wheeler, Four Seasons Healthcare and the Student Loans Company, to more than 3,000.

Eddie Humphries, the park's estate manager, said: “Capita is a great service provider and we feel that fits hand-in-glove with our ethos of customer service - from the fabulous on-site facilities to 24 hour concierge service.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Capita. They will find everything they need on their doorstep – which is in fact why they chose to come here."

Dominic Moore, asset management director of Clearbell, said: "The fact we are attracting businesses of the calibre of Capita supports our ambitions to create a regional hub for business here.

“Capita will join a great business community. It is great news for Darlington that Capita is staying in the town," added Mr Moore, who said that the deal would give the firm space to increase staff numbers if it wins new contracts. 

Clearbell has also recently bought The Gates, in Durham City where it plans to regenerate the shopping centre to provide further amenities including a cinema, restaurants, student accommodation and a new parade of riverside shops.

Susan Ring, chief executive of Capita Employee Benefits, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our decision to move our Darlington office to Lingfield Point. 

“This move represents an exciting chapter for us and builds upon our centre of excellence for public sector pensions administration in Darlington, recently strengthened with the further extension of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme contract. 

“We were looking to create a flagship site for our people in Darlington and Lingfield Point ticked all of the boxes.” 

Ada Burns, Chief Executive of Darlington Borough Council, said: “It is great to see Lingfield Point continuing its expansion plans and being an important part of the thriving business investment in the town.”

MP for Darlington Jenny Chapman said: “I am delighted Capita has continued its commitment  to Darlington, its move to Lingfield Point is a great addition to the site.”

Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “It’s excellent news that Capita has chosen to stay in Darlington and create a flagship office. 

“The relocation to Lingfield Point strengthens the Borough’s reputation as  great place to do business.”

Lingfield Point is home to the Festival of Thrift, an annual arts and crafts community event which last year attracted more than 40,000 visitors. Under the stewardship of previous director John Orchard the 107-acre site won acclaim for the innovative way it had converted former industrial buildings into modern offices.