THERE will be no jingling tills this Christmas in what was one of Darlington's most prominent stores.

Dressers, on High Row, has stood empty and boarded up since the end of March when the independent stationer, glassware and bookseller vacated the building.

There is now strong criticism of the fact that one of the most prominent properties in the town centre is a derelict blot on the street.

National companies have been ruled in and ruled out again as rumours identified clothing firm Gap, the HMV music company and Ottaker's book store as possible contenders. The latter did take over the former Northallerton Dressers and HMV moved into the Cornmill.

Ms Louise Payne, town centre manager, told the D&S Times: "There is a huge amount of pressure from the council, the town centre management and other businesses on the developer, Terrace Hill, to find a tenant as soon as possible. But I expect it can only do so much and it is losing a lot of revenue.

"The town as a whole is doing very, very well and it is a great shame we have what is almost a black hole on High Row, which is a very prominent shopping area. We keep hoping there will be some good news in the new year."

Mr Albion Small, president of Darlington chamber of trade, commented: "I haven't heard anyone named as a possible tenant. We are amazed that it hasn't been let, especially when the rest of the town is achieving good sales.

"We are also a little disappointed they haven't done something with the front of the shop. It is such a nice building to be boarded up the way it is."

Mr Robert Canswick, managing director of Terrace Hill, was unavailable for comment yesterday.