Darlington's Savoury Café on business in the market vs the Cornmill

The traditional eatery was based in the market from 1934 to 2020, when owners Sam and Alex Blackham made the difficult decision to vacate the premises.

Due to the multi-million pound redevelopment of Darlington Indoor Market, Sam and Alex felt they had no choice but to find somewhere else.

Market Asset Management, which runs Market Asset Management Darlington, took over the running of the market in 2017.

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Sam Blackham said: “We were sad to leave the market, just because we’d been there so long, and we were the busiest business in there, but once we opened here we knew that was the right choice.

“We make much more here than we ever did at the market, I would never go back.

“The market looks sad now, it’s getting quieter and quieter.”

Alex Blackham said: “We weren’t the problem with the market, and we know that because of how busy we are in the Cornmill.

“This is a much better place for us to be.”

Sam Blackham, co-owner of The Savoury Cafe. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

Read more: Two more street food traders leave Darlington Market - but officials remain positive

A spokesperson for Market Asset Management said: “As part of the successful blueprint with Darlington Borough Council for the venue to grow as a food, retail, and live entertainment destination the first phase of the market redevelopment was carried out and opened to the public in August 2021.

“It saw one third of the shop floor transformed into a street food scene with independent food traders offering cuisine from around the world from purpose-built units and a large communal seating area. There is also the Market Tap bar and an events stage.

“As a result of the transformational work The Savoury Café felt there was no longer a suitable space and it no longer met their requirements.

“Unfortunately, we understood that, and they received a generous package of compensation, which we're pleased to see it has helped enable them to create a successful business in a location that suits them.”

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This comes as in the last week, two further Street-food vendors have shut up shop.

KABAO and Fourteen Street Kitchen have now closed and left the market after trading for less than a year.

The Waterhouse Kitchen, which had been in business for ten years, The venue will close its doors for the final time on March 14. In a statement the café said it had ‘reached the point of no return’ and slammed the landlord for failing to negotiate over a £5,000 rent hike.

Darlington Borough Council was approached for comment.