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Search the Public Notice PortalPlans to transform a derelict working men’s club in Darlington into three new shops have been announced.
Darlington Central WMC, on Beaumont Street, could soon be turned into three “modern” retail units under proposals lodged with Darlington Borough Council earlier this year.
The two-storey club, believed to have been purpose built in the 1970s, has stood empty since closing its doors in 2017, and has since fallen into a “severe state of disrepair”.
The proposals would see the ground floor divided into three with new entrances and shopfronts added, transforming the ”utilitarian and basic” appearance of the building as it stands.
Despite standing empty for many years, the building still has evidence of its previous use as a working men’s club, including signs, lighting, and posters.
On the inside of the building, large sections of ceiling panels are missing or hanging loose, while exposed beams, pipes, and ducts further indicate significant deterioration.
Paint and wall coverings are worn and damaged, revealing the underlying brick and blockwork, while debris, broken plaster, and other materials litter the floors throughout the building.
If the plans are approved, the inside of the venue would be revamped in order to restore the building to a viable condition.
The exterior building, which features a dated variated brick band design, has undergone very little alteration since its original construction.
Planning documents say that a carefully considered design proposal would serve to “enhance and uplift the building's overall presence”.
New pedestrian access would be added to the ground floor retail units by the formation of shopfronts, with level access for each of the entrances.
The club is located between two other derelict buildings; the former Inside Out nightclub, which was shuttered in January 2020, and the former Seen bar.
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A statement in the application said: “We feel that the scheme is ideal for the location and constraints of the building and surrounding area.
“Given the design and location of the development we do not consider that it will unduly detract from the character and appearance of the Conservation Area or the visual amenity of the area or detract from the locality.”
Darlington Borough Council is yet to decide on the application.
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