A BUSINESSMAN whose boarded-up former pub has been described as a “glaring eyesore” has confirmed it has been sold.

Walter Cook said Darlington Borough Council had been unhelpful in his efforts to revamp The Speedwell pub, which closed three years ago.

The pub, which is in a prominent position in Victoria Road, could now be converted into a lighting store.

Mr Cook said he had hoped to keep the pub running and convert a number of rooms upstairs into apartments, but had been stymied by the local authority. The building already contains a privately let flat on the top floor.

He said a previous planning application he had made for the pub was withdrawn because of objections by planners.

The authority said the last planning application it received which involved converting the pub into retail units was refused in September last year.

Mr Cook said: “The council put so many objections in the way – the costs were mounting up and we had no return coming in.

“When we got hold of the pub we were expecting a bit of help from the council with rate relief, but instead we ended up paying a lot of money in rates for an empty building.

“The council weren’t helpful at all. We eventually got sick of it and it’s now been sold.”

Asked about the new owner, Mr Cook, who runs a number of pubs, including The Garrick, in Stockton, said: “He is a nice lad, he has bought the building off us and his idea to make it a lighting shop with apartments above.”

Labour councillor Cyndi Hughes, whose Park East ward includes The Speedwell, said: “The Speedwell is a glaring eyesore to local residents and visitors who arrive by train then travel down Victoria Road.

“Everyone is eager to bring that building back into use but the use must be acceptable to local residents and must be in keeping with planning regulations.

“With all of the millions of pounds of investment going into the Feethams site [where a cinema and leisure complex is being built], the Speedwell, which is only a stone’s throw away, would be a good investment for any would-be developer.

“I hope someone with vision and an appreciation for the local community will see its potential.”