Grace Kelly’s to take over Number One Bar in Darlington

Grace Kelly’s will soon be taking over the Number One Bar and Coffee House on Skinnergate following a major refurbishment. 

The venue, set in the former Lloyds Bank, is set to feature daily live music and will open until late on weekends. 

The Grade II listed building will continue to operate as Number One until September 1, before its new owners relaunch the bar as Grace Kelly’s later in the year. 

New owners the D&J Pub Group said: “Grace Kelly’s Irish Bar is scheduled to open in late September to early October and will bring with it all the atmosphere of bars like the Dubliner and the very popular Katie O’Briens”.

Number One Bar in Darlington (Image: CHRISTIE AND CO)

Number One first opened on Skinnergate in 2016 following the full refurbishment of the former bank, which had stood empty for years.

The bar was touted as bringing a “slice of London” to Darlington with a city-style interior at the time. In recent months the bar has only opened on Fridays and Saturdays until late. 

The building was put up for sale last October with a price tag of £699,000 when previous owners David and Paul Pearson announced they were moving on. 

The Pearson brothers, who also own fitness chain One Gym, said the decision was due to other business interests at the time.

David said: “We made the decision to market the freehold and the bar business because we have other business interests that are taking up much of our time, particularly OneGym, as well as other commercial property in the town.

Number One Bar in Darlington (Image: CHRISTIE AND CO)

“We sincerely appreciate our customers and hope that Number One has enhanced their nights out over the last nine years, and hope to see them again throughout the coming months.”

Number One Bar & Coffee House was sold at an undisclosed sum earlier this year, and it was revealed that the bar had been snapped up just last month.

At the time, its new owners teased a “few exciting changes” and said an “amazing announcement” was on the way. 

Agent Christie and Co said the five-storey building has approximately 597 square meters of trading space across the ground floor and basement, catering for around 200 covers.

Number One in Darlington (Image: STUART BOULTON / THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It added that the building benefits from planning permission for the conversion of the upper floors into seven residential apartments. 

Marslie McGregor, senior business agent for pubs and restaurants at Christie and Co, said: “Number One Bar & Coffee House offered a unique opportunity to acquire a substantial freehold property in the centre of Darlington with considerable potential.

“The combination of an established hospitality operation and planning consent for residential conversion attracted interest from a variety of buyers, including investors and developers. 

“We are pleased to have completed the sale and look forward to seeing the new owners bring their exciting plans for the venue to life.”