(31 Jan 2023, 1:26 pm)Washingtonian wrote I think Lidl could easily build a store on the site of the former Chester le Street Depot. There are plans in place for them to build a Lidl store for the old depot in Stanley which is a smaller site (not sure if approved mind). Plus there is the cleared site of the former fuel shop next door between the Chester depot and the BP garage that could be used . I know Lidl want a store in C-L-S and realistically that is probably the biggest and best site they could hope for at the moment.

On another note, could GNE not use the site as an Engineering school or college? Last I heard they used to send apprentices to Coventry for their training at a college there. Not sure if this is still the case but it so it would save the expense of paying for the apprentices travel and accommodation. Maybe it could have dual use and be used as a transport museum maybe, which could be open at the weekends when the proposed school/college would be closed. Could help generate a bit of money and I'm sure a lot of enthusiasts would love it. Seems such a shame that a place with so much history could be reduced to rubble. I know this is very unlikely to happen but it's just a thought anyway.