PLANS for a designer clothing chain to move to a prime site in a North-East town have been delayed for the second time.

Bertie had planned to open a store at the former Dressers site, in High Row, Darlington, at the start of the year, but the move was put off until July.

Last night, a spokesman for firm, based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, said its plans had been put back again and the development was now on course to happen in August or September.

In the meantime, the company has moved out of its shop in the Cornmill Centre to temporary premises in Northgate.

The spokesman said: "We have been set back a little bit and we think the High Row store will probably open in August or September now.

"We are trying to get ready for the autumn season."

He said that the company's stay in the Cornmill Centre had not been a success.

"There is nothing wrong with the Cornmill Centre but it wasn't right for us. We didn't get the regular people and the unit we had was very small.

"Our customers want something more, which is why we've moved to bigger premises."

Bertie is spending £3m on the High Row site, which has stood empty for three years. It will have a coffee shop, hairdressers and nail bar, as well as designer clothing for men, women and children.