Work gets underway on new Darlington retail park

Work has started to convert a long-vacant industrial site into a retail park.

Property developer Almscliffe-Dhesi (AD) has begun groundworks on a £4 million scheme at Faverdale, in Darlington.

The site is set to welcome major brands, including Costa Coffee, Greggs, Indigo Sun, Harrison Vets and Fastned. 

A portion of the site has also been sold to McDonald’s, which is building its own unit at the park's entrance.

Neil Creeney, director at Yorkshire-based AD, which recently announced it had secured a £6 million loan from the North East Commercial Property Investment Fund to help transform the former Farringdon Police Station site in Sunderland into a 32,100sq ft retail park, said: “We are delighted to report that work has started on site at Faverdale and is on target to finish this autumn. 

“All on-site buildings have now been demolished and steel construction work is starting shortly.

“This is phase one of a wider development on the Faverdale site. 

“There is a further four acres that have retail consent, which will be developed in due course.

“We are extremely pleased to have signed up a number of high-profile and successful retail operators for phase one. 

“They will make a significant difference to the retail offer in this popular area of Darlington and will prove to be a timely boost for the local economy.”

Funding for the development was provided by Hampshire Trust Bank, with Castle House Group leading construction, Ellis Healey Architecture overseeing design and Square One Law providing legal support.

The site, which is expected to be completed by September, is being marketed by @retail.

Bal Singh, AD co-director, added: “We have recently completed three successful developments in the North East and North Lincolnshire, which have given us the confidence our business model is the correct one.”

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