Durham's Silver Street revived by independent retailers/restaurants

For around a thousand years Silver Street has been one of Durham’s principal streets, writes David Simpson. It no doubt thrived with pilgrims, inns and taverns in times past and today is still an important link to the northern parts of the city.

From the marketplace at Durham’s heart, it leads to the splendid cathedral and castle views of Framwellgate Bridge after passing maybe forty or so potential outlets along the way on what is a relatively short stretch of street.   

Walking along Silver Street last December I was struck and saddened by its run-down nature and ubiquitous boarded-up shops. Comparing it to a similarly short and narrow medieval street in York we thought Silver Street rather depressingly resembled a ‘shambles’ in only the shambolic sense of the word.   

Read last year's report: Durham's Silver Street stroll saddens North East historian

Posting my observations on social media clearly struck a nerve. Others had clearly formed similar opinions on the state of the street. A typical response from the public is to blame the local council but the discussion hopefully raised awareness of deeper issues of more widespread national concern.   

A primary problem is that ownership and responsibility for town centre properties often rests in the hands of remote, private and sometimes hard to identify proprietors who may not have any connection with Durham or to other towns and cities with similar challenges. 

There are also of course the issues of rates, city centre parking and how to attract new outlets – particularly retailers in this age of online commerce. However, one good sign in Durham is the emergence of independent retailers.   

Twelve months or so ago, there were promises from members of the City of Durham parish council and retail consultant Graham Soult, that things would improve in Silver Street by this December, so it’s interesting to go back and assess the present state of the street. 

What did we find? Well, it’s certainly much better than it was back then. The first thing I noticed is a smashing new Korean-Japanese restaurant on the west side of the street. Further, along at the far end of Silver Street where it bends towards Framwellgate Bridge, there’s a lovely new health food shop. These are just two of the improvements. 

A new health food shop has opened in a premises that was empty this time last year. Pictures: David Simpson. (Image: David Simpson)

The latter part of the street, where it bends towards the bridge was historically called Smithgate and a year ago what was then a boarded-up outlet on the bend beneath the castle, was arguably the gloomiest corner of all streets in Durham.   

There are still signs of empty outlets in Silver Street but it’s no longer overwhelmed with emptiness as it was a year ago. 

Today, exploring in the present winter months, even against a backdrop of the rising cost of living, the street seems to have thrown off last year’s sense of doom. This must have been so frustrating for the hard-working proprietors of independent shops in the street. 

People are more likely to quickly pass through places that aren’t particularly pleasing or appealing, rather than stay, linger, browse and shop.   

We should also mention the little hidden gem of Back Silver Street which can be reached by a vennel (a Durham alley) from the main street. It is another lovely feature that lives up to the expectations of a historic city centre. 

Back Silver Street, hosting the independent outlets in Fowlers Yard is a place of great charm and improvements in neighbouring Silver Street can only encourage people to explore.   

A rather exciting development for the main part of Silver Street is the forthcoming (at the time of writing) establishment of Stack. This is an outlet similar to that at Seaburn in Sunderland and until recently also found in Newcastle’s Pilgrim Street. It’s noted for its lively shipping container ‘villages’ with an emphasis on street food. 

As reported in a recent Northern Echo story, Stack is famed for its buzzing bars and food outlets. The new Stack development in Durham will occupy the old Marks and Spencers site which has more recently been home to the Yorkshire Trading Company on a short-term lease.   

Of course, in occupying an existing outlet, it will be different from previous Stack sites but will incorporate something of the shipping container brand of its Sunderland and Newcastle counterparts. It will no doubt capture the atmosphere of those outlets and will surely be a lively and cultured focal point for Silver Street.  

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Inevitably there will be those that lament the loss of M&S and The Yorkshire Trading Company though it is hoped the latter will relocate to a new site somewhere in the city. There is also a body of opinion, perhaps from older generations, that is resistant to the establishment of more eating and drinking places rather than retail. I don’t necessarily agree.   

My view in this age of internet commerce and out-of-town shopping is to be realistic to the pressures of change and that it is important to bring life into the city rather than pin empty retail hopes on a pining nostalgia for chain stores and department stores that Picture: Gilesgate Archive (Michael Richardson). (Image: |Picture: Gilesgate Archive (Michael Richardson))perhaps in some cases have no interest in Durham’s centre and have had to adapt to the modern age. Places like Durham may not always be suitable viable locations for this kind of store, so Durham has to adapt.   

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At the same time, I love to see independent shops, which often bring a unique retail experience along with great personal care, service and charm to the presentation of their brands. In a way, the independents themselves are like a step back in time to a nostalgic age of retail but with a modern twist. Anyone with even a passing interest in the history of the city of Durham who has seen old photos of Durham from a century ago will know that independent shops and stores were an important and well-loved feature of the city in times past.