Kingsway Car Park and Public Square - Bishop Auckland Regeneration

Planning consent has been granted and work is about to start to transform a section of derelict land in the centre of Bishop Auckland into a vibrant new greenspace area, called Kingsway Square, with car parking, electric vehicle charging, cycle storage and attractive retail-fronted access directly into Newgate Street, the town’s main shopping street.

Designed to encourage footfall into the town centre, Kingsway Square will feature ‘urban garden’-style landscaped recreation and pedestrianised areas, with ambient lighting and outdoor seating, as well as a children’s play area, creating an attractive and safe gateway to Bishop Auckland’s existing retailers, businesses, and attractions.

Surrounded by buildings of historical importance, such as the Mechanics Institute and the Masonic Hall, Kingsway Square will revitalise approximately 3,000m² of disused land and buildings, while preserving the surrounding architecture, to create a safe and modern retail and residential development in keeping with the town, where people can visit, live, work, dine and shop.

Vehicular access to Kingsway Square will be via Kingsway and the creation of approximately 70 short-stay parking spaces, for local residents and visitors, will support the planned improvements to Bishop Auckland’s transport infrastructure.

Kingsway Square, and its surrounding mixed-use private developments, is a £12 million joint initiative between The Auckland Project; Durham County Council and private sector developers; and is made possible by the UK government’s Future High Streets Fund and Stronger Towns Fund.

Kingsway Square is due to complete Summer 2024.