The Cornmill Centre has stood in the centre of Darlington for over 30 years.

First opening to punters in 1992, the Cornmill has long been part of a shopping trip in the town.

On the day of its opening people queued outside, such was the anticipation, and a four-day celebratory event was held over the Bank Holiday weekend in August 1992.

The project was eight years in the making and the mall was one of the most complicated engineering projects ever to be undertaken in the town centre. Buildings had to be demolished, underground rivers negotiated and 300 support columns buried under the development.

Work was carried out in two stages starting in September 1988 with the demolition of the large Co-operative store, several shops and offices and the Pied Piper pub, formerly known as the Raby Hotel.

Several rooms of the King’s Head hotel had to be removed, as well as parts of Woolworths.

The centre has been home to a host of businesses over the years, with old names having shut shop and new brands opening the doors.

We’ve taken a look back through the archives and dug out some old shots of the centre...

The Northern Echo: Shoppers queue for the opening of the Cornmill Centre in 1992.Shoppers queue for the opening of the Cornmill Centre in 1992.

The Northern Echo: Staff at Birthdays in 1997 (L-R) Hazel Tinker, Sandra Dodsworth, Judith Davison, Neil Duffy and Pearl Wilson.Staff at Birthdays in 1997 (L-R) Hazel Tinker, Sandra Dodsworth, Judith Davison, Neil Duffy and Pearl Wilson. (Image: MIKE GIBB/ARCHIVE)

The Northern Echo: Musicians perform for customers in the centre in 1997.Musicians perform for customers in the centre in 1997. (Image: MIKE GIBB/ARCHIVE)

The Northern Echo: WHSmith in 1998. The brand is still based in the centre today.WHSmith in 1998. The brand is still based in the centre today. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The Northern Echo: The Early Learning Centre in 1998. The store remained open until 2014.The Early Learning Centre in 1998. The store remained open until 2014. (Image: MIKE GIBB/ARCHIVE)

The Northern Echo: The Body Shop is one of the oldest tennants.The Body Shop is one of the oldest tennants.

The Northern Echo: The outside of the centre, next to Woolworths at Christmas 1999.The outside of the centre, next to Woolworths at Christmas 1999. (Image: RICHARD DOUGHTY/ARCHIVE)

The Northern Echo: Sun beams in through the windows in 2000.Sun beams in through the windows in 2000. (Image: MIKE GIBB/ARCHIVE)

The Northern Echo: Youngsters queue at the centre as author Jacqueline Wilson visits for a book signing in 2004.Youngsters queue at the centre as author Jacqueline Wilson visits for a book signing in 2004. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

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The Northern Echo: Staff at Clinton Cards at the Cornmill in 2004.Staff at Clinton Cards at the Cornmill in 2004. (Image: ARCHIVE)

The Northern Echo: The closed down Northern Electric store in 2005.The closed down Northern Electric store in 2005. (Image: STUART BOULTON)