THE Watch Repair Centre has opened its ninth outlet in a 90sq ft unit in the Queen Street shopping centre, in Darlington.

Chris Rowell, managing director, said: "Darlington is an up and coming town and Queen Street provided us with the ideal sized site in a great location.

"Queen Street shopping centre is nice and busy, and looks well kept and clean."

As well as a full watch and jewellery repair service, The Watch Repair Centre sells watches.

The opening is being accompanied by a sale, featuring watches by leading manufacturers such as Casio and Avia.

Trade has been brisk since the outlet opened on June 9.

Queen Street Centre manager, Paul Jackson, said: "We are delighted to hand over the unit to The Watch Repair Centre, and expect trade will soon be ticking over nicely. By spring we expect it will wind up being an important cog in the Queen Street's marketing mix."

Minor repairs will be done on site, while major overhauls will be sent to The Watch Repair Centre's headquarters and workshops in Newcastle.

The centre employs two Rolex trained watchmakers, including managing director Chris Rowell, who began his apprenticeship with Northern Goldsmiths in 1978 and became a head technician for Watches of Switzerland.

Two new members of staff are being trained to run the Queen Street unit.

The first Watch Repair Centre opened in the Metro Centre in April 1992, where there are now two branches. There are also two in Eldon Square shopping centre, in Newcastle and others in Middlesbrough, East Kilbride and Glenrothes.

Eldon Square, Newcastle, is home to The Watch Repair Centre's head offices and main workshops.

Letting agents Hammond Phillips sourced Queen Street as a suitable location for the Watch Repair Centre whileBrassington Rowan, of Leeds, were letting agents for St Martins, which owns the Queen Street centre.