Mayor Hails Rapid Progress As New Darlington Economic Campus Base Takes Shape

Rapid progress on a major development primed to host more than 1,600 Government staff has been hailed by the region’s mayor.

The new five-storey Brunswick Street office is on track to be complete in 2028 to become the permanent home of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC).

Staff from several government departments, including HM Treasury, will be based in the office – and the structure is now taking shape on the Darlington skyline.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen was given a close up look of the work by contractor Kier on Monday (27 June).

Mayor Houchen said: “It’s fantastic to see the new Darlington Economic Campus taking shape.

“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.”

The Darlington Economic Campus was established in 2021 and is home to staff from HM Treasury, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Competition and Markets Authority.

The Department for Education has hosted staff in the town for many years.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) is delivering the Brunswick Street hub.

So far, the project has seen more than 305 piles installed, all foundations completed, and the installation of the structural steel frames started.

Roofing works are due to start in October and the precast façade will take shape in November.

Progress comes after Darlington Borough Council and Cityheart joined forces earlier this year to redevelop the town on the back of the growth of the economic campus.

The partnership will focus on delivering a new commercial quarter allowing businesses and professional services to cluster in and around DEC.

It will also be delivering a new sustainable town centre neighbourhood and a state-of-the-art STEM Centre of Excellence at Central Park, in collaboration with Darlington College.