The Greyhound pub will be transformed into a hotel, pub, and restaurant with 14 bedrooms.
The top floor, which previously housed flats, will become a hotel again, as it was originally. The ground floor pub will get a makeover but will keep its original style, with a kitchen and dining area planned.
Ben Quaintrell, who bought the pub in 2022, is addressing some urgent issues. This revamp is part of his five-year plan. They invested to improve safety, which made the restoration possible.
The Greyhound is near Darlington Hippodrome and was rebuilt in 1903 in Edwardian style. Later, the upper floors had been turned into bedsits, and The Greyhound became just a pub. It struggled and closed sometimes.
The new plans went to Darlington Council. The pub was known for karaoke and friendly staff, though some people thought it was a bit rough. Still, it’s seen as Darlington’s important heritage.
The update will keep the Edwardian style, and original windows and doors stay. They will remove ugly extensions at the back and replace them with a new two-story section. They will add energy-efficient insulation, and lighting and signs will match the style.
The plan fits Darlington’s revamp, which includes a big railway station project. Quaintrell wants to restore the pub’s charm and hopes it remains valuable to the town. He wants a great place for visitors and a place for the local community. This could help the local economy, he believes.
This project protects the town’s heritage too and enhances the appeal of the town, also making the hospitality better. Darlington is investing in regeneration right now, and with an Economic Campus growing, quality places to stay and eat will be wanted. The investment secures the Greyhound’s future, and public feedback showed strong support, with almost 100 comments praising the plan.