PROPOSALS to spend £200,000 on updating Darlington’s cherished Covered Market have been approved by councillors in a bid to attract a buyer to take over the site.

Darlington Borough Council cabinet members agreed last night (Tuesday, May 3) that the six-figure sum would be released from a £500,000 budget set aside to carry out repair work on the ageing building.

A U-turn on the council’s initial plans to only make the significant investment after securing a private partner now sees the authority hoping to encourage a buyer for the town's Indoor and Outdoor Markets before November 2016.

The authority has revealed the break-down of the £200,000 grant, with an estimated £150,000 being spent on making the building watertight with roofing and guttering work.

And the remaining £50,000 will be spent on re-wiring the site and replacing the building’s ageing fire alarm system.

Councillors also agreed last night that bids from potential partners would be assessed largely on quality rather than the amount of cash offered.

Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure and local environment, Councillor Nick Wallis said: “Discussions with traders’ representatives have been constructive and positive and all involved have a common aim which is to ensure that Darlington’s Markets are sustainable into the future.

“In achieving sustainability there will be changes and improvements both physically and in terms of how trading takes place.

“However, it is important that what is special about Darlington’s Markets is not lost.”

Private sector companies bidding on the Indoor and Outdoor Markets would also enter into a contract to maintain the old Town Hall site, but Darlington Borough Council will remain responsible for the town clock.

A recent meeting between council officials and traders operating inside the historic town centre building saw the groups agree that a private investment would be the most suitable option for the market.

And Alex Blackham, acting chairman of Darlington Market Retail Stallholders’ Association, told cabinet members and Darlington residents at the meeting that the traders approved of the council’s proposals.

Mr Blackham said: “These are worrying times and it’s a long road of uncertainty ahead of us.

“But we’ve come together as one and we are sure we can build a better Market.

“Our Markets need their mojo back and we support the authority’s plans. We’ve built up a good working relationship and we can move forward to a better future.”

A council report states that the authority will consult with traders on the Market contract until June before inviting offers from private sector investors between July and October.