M&S, Wilko and Woolworths: Changes on County Durham streets

With companies coming and going from high streets, whether that's through liquidation or moving from a certain location, this shapes each high street differently. 

In County Durham, high streets have lost Woolworths, Wilko, Topshop, and even brands that have moved out of town centres, like McDonald's, M&S, and Peacocks. 

The changes on high streets in County Durham and Darlington have been noted over the years, with big shopping structures, new leisure complexes and other amenities taking over the high street. 

The Northern Echo has pieced together five County Durham high streets that have changed over the last 15 years. 

Using Google Maps and its historical dates tool, we have gone back to look at some of the names that have left the high street, and how the high streets of these locations have changed. 

These high streets we've looked at are Durham City, Darlington, Chester-le-Street, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe - and see M&S, McDonald's, and Woolworths among others. 

Durham City

M&S in Durham City (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) Topman and Topshop in Durham (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) Cafe Rouge in Durham (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

In this particular search, we have focused on Silver Street - which has changed a lot over the last 15 years. Once boasting Topman, M&S and even Café Rouge. 

This is a hark back to what Silver Street has become. 

While exciting plans are afoot to build a STACK in Durham City in the former Yorkshire Trading site, and the new addition of Rudy's Pizza, many shoppers long for a return of big-name brands like M&S. 

Darlington

McDonald's in Darlington town centre (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) M&S in Darlington town centre (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

Another location that has changed so much - including the addition of Faverdale, DL1 and changes to High Row, Duke Street, and Grange Road. 

We have focused on Northgate for this search, due to the fact that there was once an M&S, McDonald's, and several other brands on this road. 

It's worth pointing out that Darlington has lost McDonald's from the town centre, along with Woolworths, Wilko, and M&S but Primark, Next, and Boots have all stuck with the town, as well as the impressive independent traders seen on Duke Street, Grange Road, Darlington Market, and Post House Wynd, among many of the yards in Darlington.

Bishop Auckland

Westgate Department Store in Bishop Auckland (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) M&S in Bishop Auckland (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) Boots in Bishop Auckland (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

One location where people remember a time of M&S, Boots, and a full Newgate Shopping Centre. This high street has changed a lot but has still managed to keep some of its big brands from going to Tindale and the new Bishop Auckland retail park. 

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Bishop Auckland also has an impressive independent scene on Fore Bondgate, while also having several markets across the year to showcase its produce. 

Chester-Le-Street

Woolworths in Chester-Le-Street (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) Northern Rock in Chester-Le-Street (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

Another location that has been all change over the last 15 years - it's plain to see the changes, which has seen Woolworths close down, and a notable name that was still there in 2009 was Northern Rock - which closed across the UK.

Chester-Le-Street still has big-name brands that have stuck with the town for years, as well as boasting several large-scale supermarkets.

Newton Aycliffe

Argos in Newton Aycliffe (Image: GOOGLE MAPS) Where Aldi is now - but in 2009 - in Newton Aycliffe (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

A bit of an anomaly in the list, Newton Aycliffe town centre is relatively new to be established, and the changes between 2009 and the present day is evident to see. 

While The Thames Centre and Tesco were already there in 2009, seeing images that showed no Aldi looked slightly strange. 

If you have some great memories of these five locations over the years, please do share them in the comments - we love hearing them.