In a non covid world -
Chester was always likely to close eventually, the building is archaic, investment need to bring it up to scratch would fail a cost benefit analysis.
A new depot would be built, potentially encompassing Washington, likely at the first refusal site they had at Drum in Birtley and it would be future proofed.
In a post covid world they can reduce services enough to make it feasible to run from elsewhere.
RE: Closure of Chester-le-Street Depot
Wistfully stuck in the 90s