York construction specialist completes six-figure works on “iconic” Darlington site

Construction specialists Urban Group (York) Ltd has completed a six-figure project on Darlington covered market, transforming facilities for the traders and visitors alike.

Phase Two of planned works to the “iconic” Victorian market, situated between High Row and Horse Market, started in August 2022 and has just completed.

This “transformational” project is part of a successful masterplan from operators Market Asset Management Darlington Ltd and Darlington Borough Council for the venue to grow as a food, retail, and live entertainment destination.

Urban’s Interiors Division has renovated the shop front fascia and entrances, added a new shop floor café, new public and trader toilets on the ground floor and new toilets to the basement of the market, which remained open throughout the revamp.

The work has also incorporated a full renovation of the abandoned basement which has been transformed to create a Prohibition-themed bar and live music venue named The Vault, which is due to open as early as Spring 2023.

Darlington town centre has been home to a covered market since May 1864, where the very first purchase recorded was leg of mutton bought by the local landlord.

Over 150 years later the covered market is still proving to be a popular with shoppers, with the recent renovations ensuring it is ready to become a key regional destination providing a wide range of retail, food and leisure facilities.

Urban Interiors’ operations director, Kevin Keogh, commented: “This has been a fascinating job for the team. When we were stripping and repurposing the basement for the 1920s themed bar, we uncovered the old cells from the former police station that used to be on the site.

“We wanted to try and maintain as much of the heritage as possible with exposed metalworks still evident as part of the interior, and we’ve incorporated elements such as the old banana racks that were used to allow the imported fruit to ripen that had been left behind by traders from the 1960s.”

Councillor Jamie Bartch, cabinet member for economy for Darlington Borough Council, added: “The market is rightly considered one of Darlington’s jewels and the work that has been carried out by Urban means that it shines brightly once again.

“I hope people take the time to visit and see for themselves the improvements that have been made and support the established traders and the new food and drink outlets. The Vault, in the cellar, is an amazing transformation of an unused space.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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