Demolition planned for dilapidated former bakery

The former Kelly's Bakery

The former Kelly's Bakery has stood empty since 2017. In the six years since its closure as a storage facility, its condition has deteriorated significantly, and it has become a target for vandals.

Following approval of a planning application, we will next week begin work to knock down the building and clear the site.

Car park development

The demolition will make way for a new, free to use car park, which will provide a much-needed facility for residents visiting local shops and dropping off school children.

The redevelopment of the site forms part of our Towns and Villages programme, an important part of our regeneration strategy and aims to ensure the money we spend and the service we provide delivers the best possible outcomes for communities across County Durham.

Following its closure as a bakery in 1971, the property was used by the Beamish Museum as a storage facility for artefacts until its final closure in 2017 due to its deteriorating condition.

Redevelopment opportunity

Cllr James Rowlandson, our Cabinet member for Resources, Investment and Assets, said: "The building is in a very poor state of repair and continues to deteriorate. Its condition and complicated internal layout mean that it could not be converted to another use without considerable redesign and investment.

"It is also not financially viable to bring the building up to an appropriate environmental standard. We have, therefore, opted to demolish the structure and use the opportunity to create additional parking for the community."

Works to the car park are expected to commence on the cleared site in March 2024.