Old shoe shop to become ‘heart of the community again’
Photo by Stuart Bolton
A County Durham college principal has said he hopes a newly renovated town centre building can
become the beating heart of the community again.
Shaun Hope, Bishop Auckland College principal, has spoken about the reopening of the McIntyre
Centre, which has undergone renovations to transform it into a community hub. The Grade II listed
building, on Newgate Street, was previously a shoe shop and leather goods store for more than 100
years before it was left vacant.
However, it has now been brought back to life through a renovation project funded by the
Conservation Area Grant Scheme.
The building will now serve as a multi-purpose space offering skills training, job opportunities,
and educational resources.
