Sir, - I applaud all the hard work which has been undertaken in Darlington recently to promote late-night opening on the four Thursdays running up to Christmas. The extra events and markets on High Row provided a particularly festive feel.

However, having dashed from Northallerton on one of the aforementioned evenings to specifically avail myself of the products on a fancy goods stall in the indoor market (pictured above), I was incensed to find the door slammed in my face at precisely 5pm as I tried to enter.

I am a regular reader of the Darlington & Stockton Times and the market traders are regularly accusing the council or people of this town of not supporting them. Well, how about they actually put themselves out for the town for a change?

Admittedly, there wouldn't be much value in the fresh meat and vegetable stalls staying open until 8pm, but why not the others? Or, how about a compromise and keep the market hall open until 6.30pm on those particular days?

The more businesses which join in the late-night opening, the better the event will become and the more people will spend more money rather than go to the MetroCentre.

Has nobody in the market hall cottoned on to the fact that most of the retail outlets in the town are open until 5.30pm each day anyway - some even until 6pm?

MIKE SMITH

Coniscliffe Road,

Darlington.