REGENERATION bosses behind a city development have reached an agreement to bring a bar chain to the scheme.

The Arlington Real Estate and Carillion partnership says Pitcher&Piano will form part of its Milburngate project, in Durham City.

Work on the glass-fronted bar, set over two storeys, is expected to start later this year, with the building opening in 2019.

Officials previously told The Northern Echo that the Durham riverside scheme, which features apartments, restaurants and bars, as well as an Everyman Cinema and offices, will be a catalyst for more than 1,000 jobs and a stronger regional economy.

Neil McMillan, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “Pitcher&Piano is an iconic name in the leisure industry, particularly in the North-East where its restaurant and bar in Newcastle really set the tone for the quality of the regeneration of the Quayside.”

Speaking to the Echo last month, Mr McMillan said Milburngate will have a major effect on Durham City and the region as a whole.

He added: “We could have quite easily just done the norm but we have set out to do a lot better.

“We see this as a real draw; Durham is situated nicely between the Tyneside, Teesside and Gateshead conurbations.

“We have got to raise the game; if we are competing on a national scale and pulling our weight in the UK, we have got to raise the game.”

Pitcher&Piano is part of the Marston’s group and Steve Roberts, head of acquisitions, said the company was delighted to be involved with Milburngate.

He added: “It’s great to be part of this development.”