Demolition plans for former Darlington Sports Direct

Documents have been produced by the council for the proposed demolition of the former Sports Direct Building and associated two storey former nightclub.

The works will include the taking down and removal of all existing buildings and structures on site to ground level and to include the grubbing out of existing concrete bases and foundations.

The primary driver of the exercise is to aid in the refurbishment and re-roofing of the adjacent Crown Street Library, a Grade II Listed building, and the aims of the demolition are to provide improved access to the rear of the library which at present is restricted. In addition, the demolition will free up available space for future development by Darlington Borough Council, the extent and type of the proposals are unknown at this time.

The original building was constructed in the mid 1960s and housed the Magnet 10 Pin Bowling Alley and two storey nightclub facing onto East Street.

The bowling alley ceased trading in the early to mid-1970s and the building was then taken over by the Magnet Furniture Group and used as a retail showroom and depot. The nightclub section of the building remained. Following the subsequent demise of the Magnet Group the building was occupied by Sports Direct until recently when the company moved premises.

The building is currently vacant and has been purchased by Darlington Borough Council and has been earmarked for future development.

All asbestos will be removed prior to commencement of strip out works and selected demolition works.

Site works will commence with the removal of any remaining fixtures and fittings during the pre-demolition ‘soft strip’.

These items will be removed by hand and carefully stored for removal off site. Following that will be the removing of any asbestos identified, and after it has been safely removed the main demolition phase of works will commence.

A bird and bat survey is also to been undertaken.