Former Beefeater at Morton Park in Darlington up for sale

 <i>(Image: Christie Owen & Davies)</i>
(Image: Christie Owen & Davies)
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A former Beefeater restaurant has gone up for sale following its closure announcement earlier this year.

The Darlington site is now on the market after Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, made the announcement in May.

It said it would shut its remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants across the UK and Ireland as part of a five-year plan.

The Morton Park building is on the eastern edge of the town and sits adjacent to a Premier Inn hotel.

It previously served as the primary dining facility for hotel guests, travellers and families.

(Image: Christie Owen & Davies)

The firm launched its five-year plan in a bid to save £250 million, amid rising business rates and national insurance costs.

The closure plan also resulted in Bishop Auckland's Brewers Fayre going up for sale.

At the time of the announcement, Whitbread employed around 30,000 people.

Of those, the company said most would be retained but estimated that about 3,800 jobs, roughly 12 per cent of staff, were expected to be lost as a result of the closures.

The Morton Park site is described as a modern, purpose-built restaurant with a host station and a bar area with casual seating.

A spacious, single-level dining area can serve up to 215 diners and includes a 30-cover meeting or function room.

The restaurant also has a designated bar and waiting area with 60 additional seats, as well as a commercial kitchen, staff rooms, storage, laundry and office space.

It is surrounded by national retailers including Morrisons, B&M, Pets at Home and Halfords, as well as other casual dining and drive-thru outlets.

Whitbread blamed financial pressures for the closures, citing rising business rates and national insurance costs.

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