FRIDAY 22 MAY, 2026
Cityheart and Darlington Borough Council sign partnership at UKREiiF
The partnership brings together the Council’s local leadership and ambition with Cityheart’s national regeneration expertise, creating a shared platform to unlock transformational development across the town. The moment at this year’s UKREiiF formally marks the beginning of a partnership that will drive a new phase of growth in Darlington. It was celebrated within the Tees Valley Pavillion hosted by TVCA who is set to collaborate closely in supporting the partnership over the coming years.
With Darlington already recognised as one of the UK’s fastest-growing towns, supported by significant government backing and strong transport connectivity, the partnership with Cityheart is designed to accelerate delivery and maximise long-term impact.
Cityheart is known for sustainable regeneration that supports local communities and creates long-lasting value. Its projects are built with the future in mind, and the team works closely with public and private partners to help shape places that feel considered and relevant to the people who live in them.
The partnership will focus on delivering a new commercial quarter allowing businesses and professional services to cluster in and around the new Darlington Economic Campus at Brunswick Street. 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.
The signing came at the end of a wider programme of activity at UKREiiF, where stakeholders came together to discuss the scale of opportunity in Darlington. Representatives from both Cityheart and Darlington Borough Council were in attendance, underlining a shared commitment to maximise the opportunity of Government decentralisation in revitalising Darlington town centre and creating opportunities for all.
Chris McEwan, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for economy, said: “I am delighted that we have signed this partnership and I look forward to working with Cityheart to further develop the town and continue to promote what we have to offer to national and international investors. As detailed in our Council Plan, one of our key ambitions is to build an inclusive and sustainable economy with opportunities for all and this partnership will help us to achieve this at what is a very exciting time for the borough.”
Further details on the partnership’s pipeline will be announced in due course.
ENDS
About Cityheart
Cityheart is a regeneration specialist working with public and private-sector partners to reimagine and revitalise places. With a strong track record and a nationwide pipeline, including schemes in Stockport, Wigan, Widnes, Hemel Hempstead, Bishops Stortford and Darlington, it delivers sustainable development that empowers communities and creates lasting value.
