About The Imperial Centre

Set in the centre of the cosmopolitan Imperial Quarter of Darlington with cafés, restaurants, trendy boutiques and a host of businesses on your doorstep, the Imperial Centre is ideally placed for a wide range of small to medium enterprises to fulfil all areas of both personal and business life.

The Imperial Centre has been a landmark building in Darlington for over 100 years starting its life as a major hotel playing host to such dignitaries as the King of Spain and W.G. Grace

The legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience played at the Imperial Centre on the 2nd of February 1967 to a sell-out crowd, but not without controversy. The band had signed to do the gig for just £75, but as the evening drew closer their career was taking off with “Hey Joe” in the charts at number 4. Their record company tried to pull out, but the bands manager, being from the North East, insisted the gig should go on.

That was not the end of the difficulties; only 3 minutes into the gig in the hotel ballroom, the band’s powerful amplifiers blew the fuses and the hotel was left in darkness. Fortunately they went on to play for 2 hours non-stop, with no supporting band. The band’s woes were further compounded after the show when one of Jimi’s famous Fender guitars went missing only to enter local folklore with many Darlington people knowing a friend-of-a-friend who has seen it…!

The building still retains a lot of the character that attracted so many visitors in the past. It still feels that little bit special looking out of the large sash windows onto the bustling streets below and there is a sense of occasion walking in through the main doors.

Make an appointment today to see how we can help you move in to a part of Darlington’s history.