Council says Darlington centre is recovering despite closures

A report presented to members of Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet provided an update on the performance of the economy, town centre and jobs between October 2022 to March 2023. 

While it notes the majority of business closures have attracted new replacement businesses, the report states footfall follows a regular pattern of 300,000 weekly footfall, but has taken a “slight dip” in recent months.

Yet the council says it remains focused on delivering high quality services and events to meet the needs and expectations of a wide range of local people. 

Work is also ongoing to attract new businesses, help independent retailers and to grow employment opportunities for Darlington residents. Council staff continue to work on the Towns Fund programme, funded by the Government, which has already helped deliver improvements to the Yards areas, enhancements to Victoria Road and has supported businesses along North Road.

The council also recently acquired the former Northern Echo building on Priestgate, with a procurement process beginning to create space for an Adult Skills Hub and office space. 

Elsewhere in the town centre, bosses admit that current trading conditions at the Indoor Market are “challenging” but work to attract more visitors is ongoing.

“Footfall in the street food phase is holding up well with increasing trader presence at outdoor markets linking in with the town event programme,” the report added. 

Phase one and two of the market’s redevelopment, headed by owners Market Asset Management (MAM), is now complete with phase three work to redevelop the indoor retail area due to start later this summer.  

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MAM's Darlington General Manager, Michael Harvey said: “With the recent transformational work and the brilliant new boutiques and stalls coming under Phase three, it is such an exciting time for the market.”

Demand for office space remains high due to the Treasury’s ambition to relocate to the town, with the authority continuing to receive a “healthy number of enquiries for quality office space in the town centre and has several projects in development to meet this demand”. 

Town centre areas outlined for redevelopment include the former Sports Direct site on Crown Street, where a feasibility study is underway to build new office space.