Former Darlington Marks and Spencer shop could become a gym

It has been nearly five years since Marks and Spencer closed its Northgate store, in Darlington, for the final time yet no permanent tenant has been found.

The retailer moved to an out-of-town foodhall in West Park but did not continue its clothing department, with customers having to travel elsewhere.

The building at 70 Northgate, which is spread over three floors, has since been temporarily used by a community arts organisation and a foodbank but both left in 2021.

Now, OneGym hopes to restore the building and open at the vacant site. Local businessmen Paul and David Pearson hope to add their hometown to a growing list of locations which also includes Thinford Park, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, and Peterlee.

The building before Marks and Spencer left in 2018 (Image: The Northern Echo)

Darlington council leader, Jonathan Dulston said: “Great to see local business owners Paul and David Pearson making this significant investment to our town. They have a proven track record in delivering success and currently own several businesses including the popular Number One bar.”

The council is also in talks about developing the upper floors into flats and office space, which Cllr Dulston says the town “desperately needs to meet the demand we are seeing”.

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No planning applications had been submitted to the council at the time of writing.

Councillors heard earlier this month how demand for offices in the town centre is at an all-time high since the government announced its Treasury department would be setting up a new base in the town.

Early plans for an office block at the site of the former Sports Direct Warehouse, East Street, have been discussed with further sites under consideration.