Shoppers react to House of Fraser Darlington closure

The former Binns store, on High Row, will close its doors for the final time in December this year, due to the landlord's decision to terminate the lease.

The retail chain - which has been in Darlington since August 1922 - thanked staff for their "hard work and dedication" when announcing the news today (Thursday, September 19). 

The Binns/House of Fraser store in Darlington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Closing down signs have since been added to the windows of the store advertising a 20 per cent off full price (exclusions apply).

A statement from Frasers, which runs the House of Fraser brand, said: “It is with regret that we announce House of Fraser Darlington will be closing in December 2024, due to the landlord's decision to terminate the lease as they require the unit back before Christmas."

Following the announcement, shoppers have been reacting with shock to the closure - with some believing that the shutting down of the store could signal the "death of the town".

Gloria Blackwell (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Gloria Blackwell, who goes for coffee in House of Fraser at least twice a week, said she was worried about where she will go now with her friends.

She said: " It's the same in a lot of place though, high streets are dying.

"A lot of people say that items are expensive and that's the reason they're closing, but you get what you pay for and the items are always quality.

"People are starting to favour retail parks over high streets."

Susan Caton (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Meanwhile, Susan Caton called the closure the "death of the town" and cited another closed shop, Wilko, which still remains empty, as another example of how the high street in Darlington is slowly declining.

She said: "It's sad for Darlington. But people don't use the shops or the service and it unfortunately happens. A lot of people don't come into town anymore. It's the death of the town."

While shock was the main emotion from shoppers in Darlington on Thursday, others were left wondering what will now happen to the House of Fraser building once it closes in December.

Lawrence and Lorraine Burniston (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Lawrence and Lorraine Burniston, who have stopped shopping in Darlington as much because of the parking charges and the lack of shops, said: "It's such a shock - it's been there for such a long time.

"Although when you think of how expensive items are there, you're surprised it was there for as long as it has been. It's now a question of what takes the building over - because it's such a large building."

Ken and Jean Brownbridge (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Finally, Ken and Jean Brownbridge said they believed that the lack of people that used the store was already a tell-tale sign ahead of the closure.

Most read:

• Binns' flagship Darlington store to close this year after 100 years in town
• 'End of an era': Sadness and disappointment as Binns to close Darlington store
• Closing down sale signs appear in Binns as Darlington store confirms closure

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The couple, who have also seen decline in Middlesbrough and Bishop Auckland, say that retail parks and online shopping have contributed to the closure of many big brands in town centres.

They said: "House of Fraser closing is such a shock. But when you look at the shops that are here and what is happening at retail parks. 

"You can park there for the whole day and go to all of the big name shops - it's hard for high streets to compete."