Record number of tourists will generate cash for town

Darlington's Tourist Information Centre has had more than 24,500 visitors through its doors this year.

Visitor figures to the centre, in the town's Market Place, are up by seven per cent.

Last year, visitors generated £71.7m with more than £52m from day-trippers.

Tourism in Darlington is also responsible for maintaining nearly 1,700 full-time jobs. Part-time and seasonal work increases this figure to more than 2,000.

Last year, the tourism centre helped generate more than 1.6 million day trips to Darlington and an estimated 131,000 overnight trips.

A big attraction is the town's railway heritage, with many inquiries about this, the railway museum and brick train, as well as the Civic Theatre and visitors wanting information about local shops and restaurants.

People also use Darlington as a base to explore the wider area, and go to the centre for information on the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Park.

A spokesman for Darlington Civic Theatre said: "We have a study that says most people to the theatre come from within a five mile radius, but we are getting more and more out of town and out of the region visitors the venue as well.

"I don't know if that is because of the town itself, or the types of shows we are getting here, but we are continuing to thrive and attract new audiences."

David Lyonnette, Darlington Council's cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "In recent years Darlington has established itself as an ideal destination for day trips or short breaks.

"Darlington has everything to offer tourists who want to use the town as a base to visit the Lakes, the Dales or the Moors. We are ideally located for tourists looking to travel further afield and of course if you want to stay in town we have excellent shops, restaurants and leisure facilities to cater for most tastes."

*Darlington Tourist Information Centre is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturdays and on Sundays from 11am to 3pm.