Work has officially begun on the new Darlington Government Hub with a groundbreaking ceremony held on 16 January 2026. The event was led by Chancellor Rachel Reeves alongside Cabinet Office Minister Anna Turley, marking the start of construction on the five-storey office building that will host around 1,600 civil servants.
The project, delivered by Kier Group as lead contractor, already has remediation and preparatory works underway ahead of full construction. Once complete, the hub will bring together staff from multiple government departments, improving collaboration and modernising how public services are delivered in the region.
Officials say the new building will not only create jobs during construction but will also support local economic activity long-term. It's expected to be a notable boost for Darlington's town centre and part of wider public-sector property improvements.