Durham Council agrees to bid for delayed Durham Milburngate site
Durham County Council’s cabinet agreed to proceed with negotiations to acquire the Milburngate development to end years of uncertainty around the site’s future.
A discussion on the acquisition was held behind closed doors on Wednesday morning due to commercial sensitivity, but the local authority revealed the proposal was backed by cabinet members.
Built on the site of the former Passport and National Savings and Investment offices, Milburngate links the city centre to the planned new Durham Innovation District.
The Milburngate development, scheduled to open by the end of 2022 in the heart of Durham City, has run into several issues. In 2023, Gateshead-based construction company Tolent was the main contractor for the site but entered administration, while questions about ‘fire safety issues’ delayed construction further.
It was hoped that Milburngate, a joint venture of Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, would bring 153 built-to-rent apartments, and office space, alongside big names in the leisure and hospitality industry.
Previously, BrewDog, whose bar sits empty in front of Milburngate, has expressed frustration at investing £1m into Milburngate and not being able to open – hitting out at the “never-ending bureaucratic red tape”.
In January, the developers of the multi-million-pound development also featuring the Premier Inn hotel chain and Everyman Cinema insisted talks ‘remain ongoing’ – despite venues still sitting empty.
The local authority will work with tenants and other stakeholders to ensure the development is fully completed and open to the public “as soon as practicable”.
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Councillor Elizabeth Scott, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are very aware of the economic significance of Milburngate to the city and wider county.
“This is a large development on a key site within the city, offering a range of leisure, business, and residential opportunities. Its strategically advantageous location, on the waterside in Durham, makes it an attraction proposition for businesses, from retail and leisure providers to those looking for office space.
“Combining this with the residential and hotel accommodation that is an integral part of the development, means it also has a lot to offer residents and visitors too. Investing in Milburngate would, therefore, allow us to secure its future and bring significant economic benefit to the city and wider county.”