WORK is to begin on rebuilding a town centre amusement arcade almost a year after it was the target of arsonists.
J Noble and Sons Amusement Arcade, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, was badly damaged by the blaze in February.
But plans to redevelop the building were put on hold while the district council applied to get the 18th Century building listed.
The council's bid failed because the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the building was not of sufficient architectural or historic merit.
Business owner Jason Noble has been given the go-ahead to pull down the remaining part of the building.
He said: "We're starting to build a new building at the back. Once that's up, we'll demolish the front and finish the building off.
"It's going to be a complicated process and time-consuming, but the finished plans will be in keeping with the Front Street."
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