The construction of a new STACK venue in Bishop Auckland has been handed a funding lifeline.
Much-needed investment is set to be provided by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Durham County Council to ensure the town centre project can continue.
More than £2 million is believed to be invested in the scheme.
Work on the Newgate Street site was halted in March due to structural issues with nearby buildings and cost pressures.
Once complete, the new venue will host a selection of bars and street food vendors based around a central ‘plaza’ area. Plans for the new multi-storey site on Newgate Street were approved in 2023 but have been repeatedly delayed, both before and after the demolition of the former WHSmith store.
Monitoring work was carried out on the Bishop Auckland site due to movement in a nearby building, which is currently being propped up.
It is hoped the entertainment venue will be open by spring 2026.
Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “This is going to be a fantastic addition to Bishop Auckland high street. When I heard the project had stalled, I knew we had to step in and make sure it could go ahead.
“It will mean jobs for local people but also a brilliant new venue that will attract visitors to the town centre, which will be a real positive for the other businesses in the area too.”
STACK is known for its other regional venues in Newcastle, Seaburn and Middlesbrough, with plans to open a new site in Durham City.
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Sam Rushworth said the new venue will breathe new life into the town centre.
The Labour MP added: “This is brilliant news for Bishop Auckland. STACK will bring new life and footfall to our high street, support local jobs, and provide a dynamic social space for residents and visitors alike.
“I have been speaking with STACK closely to support this development, and I’m incredibly grateful to Mayor Kim McGuinness for listening to our community and stepping in to get this over the line.”
Cllr Lyndsey Fox, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We continue to work with STACK to realise the benefits the scheme can have for the long-term regeneration of Bishop Auckland.
“We are encouraged that our request to the North East Combined Authority (NECA) for funding, as part of our significant package of investment in the scheme and wider town, seems to be progressing. However, there are ongoing commercial discussions relating to the scheme, and it continues to be significantly more complex than would be obvious from a distance.
“Ultimately, I am confident we will make a success of the scheme, and its success will be a reflection on the hard work and regeneration efforts of the town but, at this time, it would be inappropriate to comment further until our dialogue with STACK concludes and NECA’s formal decision-making processes are complete.”
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