'Rapid progress' made on new Darlington Treasury hub

Work is well underway on the Government’s new five-storey Brunswick Street office on the former car park next to the Darlington East End Club. 

Once open, it will become the permanent home of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) and house more than 1,600 civil servants from across a range of Government departments. 

The structure has recently taken shape in the Darlington skyline, with foundations complete, more than 305 piles installed, and structural steel frames now being erected. 

The new Treasury hub in Darlington (Image: PETER REIMANN)

And this week, it was confirmed that new Chancellor John Healey is “strongly committed” to the site and has plans to visit very soon. 

It comes amid calls for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to "buy into" Darlington's Treasury hub after launching Number 10 North in Manchester - especially in the wake of former Chancellor Rachel Reeves spending just two days there last year.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) sits next to Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey at No 10 North (Image: PA/Christopher Furlong)

The Treasury said this week that it is “only right” that policy makers are based in the North East and that its success “underlines the commitment to bring decision-making closer to communities”.   

Construction is well underway at the site since ground was broken by Ms Reeves in January, with roofing works due to start in October. 

The precast façade is then expected to take shape in November, with the hub estimated to be finished and open by the first quarter of 2028. 

(Image: Tom Banks)

The DEC, which was launched by the Conservative Party in 2021, is currently home to about 1,925 civil service roles across ten major government departments. 

This includes staff from the Treasury, the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and others. 

The new site will form part of the wider DEC, which is already home to Feethams House and Bishopsgate House. 

The Labour Government continued the project after coming into power in 2024, but the party's commitment to the site came under fire over Ms Reeves' attendance record.

Councillor Steve Harker, leader of Darlington Borough Council, this week encouraged Mr Healey to work in Darlington "every chance he gets". 

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Regional devolution is also one of the points in The Northern Echo’s manifesto for the north, which asks the Labour leader to commit to six key priorities for the region. 

On Monday, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen was given a tour around the site by contractor Kier, saying it was "fantastic" to see the site taking shape. 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (third from right) at the site of the new Darlington Economic Campus off Brunswick Street with Kier Group staff and TVCA Director of Inward Investment and Marketing Craig Peacock (right). (Image: TVCA)

He said: "Bringing the Treasury to Darlington five years ago proved our region could successfully host major national institutions – and it has shown we have led the way in establishing Government departments outside of London.

“More than 1,000 civil servants are already based here, and this new campus will build on that success by bringing together nine government departments in one purpose-built facility. 

"This is an investment not just in a building, but in the future of Darlington and our wider region. 

“It's creating good-quality jobs, supporting local businesses through construction and reinforcing Darlington's reputation as a place where major organisations choose to invest and grow."