Durham County Council is in discussions with a local businessman about plans to develop a 70-room luxury hotel at Old Shire Hall, a historic former university headquarters.
Businessman Shaun Crawley has bought Old Shire Hall, previously Durham University’s HQ, with a view to creating a 70-room boutique hotel to rival the best in the area.
He hopes the Grade II-listed Victoria treasure will be transformed with spa facilities, a fine restaurant, bars, 40 hotel rooms, a 30-room apart-hotel and plush functions rooms, creating a country house atmosphere at the heart of Durham City.