EVER since it was devastated by a truly mysterious fire just over a year ago, the King’s Hotel has been an unsightly blemish on the face of Darlington town centre.

Surrounded by ugly scaffolding, and waiting in vain for a verdict from baffled fire investigators, it has been an inconvenience local retailers could well have done without in these tough trading times.

It seems we will never know what really happened on that dramatic night in August last year, though arson remains the chief suspicion.

But at long last, there are signs of action, with the owner of the landmark hotel submitting plans to return it to former glories.

The grade II-listed building is part of Darlington’s character and the sooner it can be refurbished, in keeping with its historic and imposing facade, the better.

We look forward to the blemish being removed and the King’s Hotel again overlooking Darlington with distinction.

But we hope that the owners see the opportunity in the forthcoming rebirth for a return to the hotel’s traditional name.

Built between 1890 and 1893, it was known then as the King’s Head Inn.

For centuries before that, it bore the name of the King’s Head.

For modernist and rather pointless reasons, the King lost his Head in recent years but there are precious few locals who use the name the “King’s Hotel”.

Even the hotel’s own website is reached via the address “kingshead darlington”.

Darlington town centre needs its grand old hotel. We hope it gets its grand old title too.