THE Government announcement that Darlington had been chosen as the new home for the Treasury Department is a fantastic achievement, not only for Darlington, but the whole of the Tees Valley region.

Having a key Government department recognising the assets and potential of the area will drive investment, regeneration, and economic growth within it on a scale not seen in generations.

It will also help create future jobs and opportunities for people locally and give young people the confidence that they don’t need to travel far to get the high-quality job opportunities they want.

Darlington is a wonderful town with many large, established businesses calling it home, in many sectors such as biologics, skilled manufacturing & engineering, logistics & distribution.

It has so many attributes that led to the decision for the Treasury to base themselves here, including its excellent transport links, whether it be the rail connectivity to London; the major road network or the local airport, which is seeing increased flights to London and beyond.

The town itself has a buzz of excitement about it, as major developments and improvements are getting underway. The railway station is starting a modernisation programme which will see a new station building being built, additional platforms added and improved interchange for passengers to support increased train journeys.

The Town Centre is undergoing a transformation with the redevelopment of the historic Victorian market to bring a more modern street food and entertainment aspect to it, as well as a reinvigoration of its quirky yards and wynds.

There are number of award-winning restaurants, independent bars and high-quality shops, theatres, and its own gin distillery, which all add to the unique character of the town.

Darlington can also boast quality housing developments and outstanding schools, and with a lower cost of living compared to the South of the UK, and its proximity to both stunning countryside and coastlines, the quality of life here is hard to beat.

Soon the town will play host to the celebrations for the 200-year anniversary of the public railway, which launched in 1825. Since this time, Darlington has been at the forefront of industrial and commercial development, and the Treasury is the next exciting and progressive chapter in Darlington’s story.

It truly is an exciting time to part of Darlington’s developing history and as more companies discover this once hidden gem, and we look forward to welcoming the Treasury Department over the coming months.