A HOSTEL looks certain to close during an overhaul of Darlington’s services for the homeless.

The Salvation Army hostel at Tom Raine Court failed in its bid to secure funding from Darlington Borough Council and The Northern Echo understands it is now set for closure.

However, the 700 Club, a charity based at Grange Road Baptist Church, in Darlington, was successful in its bid, and will provide hostel accommodation for the borough’s homeless from July.

The 700 Club will offer accommodation from its existing buildings Hope House and St George’s Hall. The facilities will provide 29 units for the use of men, women and couples.

That figure falls some way short of the existing provision at Tom Raine Court, where 37 men live.

Although it is as yet unclear how the surplus of homeless people will be met, a council spokeswoman said staff were working with those who may require hostel accommodation “to ensure they have the opportunity to use the new service or to access other suitable accommodation or services”.

The Reverend John Elliston, who founded the 700 Club more than a decade ago, and who received an MBE for his work with the homeless in Darlington, said the new arrangements would provide a more “comprehensive” service for homeless people.

He said: “We are a relatively small Darlington charity, founded in Darlington, which employs Darlington people, to have something homegrown is, I think, really special.

“The council is not allowed to be biased towards locality, this was won on merit.”

Mr Elliston said the 700 Club was now putting the finishing touches to its services before July.

“We are still working through exactly how these services are going to be delivered, but we are still excited about it,” he said.

“There is a sense of anticipation as to how the whole area of homeless provision in Darlington will look come August when everything is up and running.”

Until the new arrangements come into place, the council is working to relocate the residents in Tom Raine Court.

Anyone with any concerns over the changes should contact the council on 01325- 388542.

The Salvation Army declined to comment.