AN ATTEMPT to introduce seven-day trading in Darlington has suffered a setback after one of the town's main shopping complexes decided not to open on Sundays.

Business leaders have been pressing shopkeepers to open on Sundays to prevent shoppers going elsewhere.

The move follows a report which revealed that only 20 town centre stores open in Darlington on Sundays, even though 50 per cent of people nationally prefer to shop on that day of the week.

But plans to establish Darlington as a Sunday trading town have been hit by the news that the town's Queen Street shopping centre will not open.

The management of the centre decided it will not be worthwhile opening until at least 60 per cent of the centre wants to trade.

A poll of shop managers found that there was insufficient interest in opening on Sundays.

The decision also affects businesses such as Next, which will not be able to open because one of its entrances is in the Queen Street mall.

Darlington Chamber of Trade president Albion Small believes the town risks losing considerable trade unless shopkeepers open on Sunday.

"I think a number of retailers are missing the boat and the worry is that the people who go elsewhere to shop on Sunday might then not do their shopping in Darlington during the week," he said.

"Trading in the Cornmill Shopping Centre has been high on Sundays, and what is needed now is a united front to show that seven-day trading can be a success in Darlington."

The Cornmill Shopping Centre is currently trading on Sunday with 26 per cent of the units open.

Senior figures in the Cornmill Traders' Association feel the fact that most of the centre's shops are not opening their doors portrays a poor image to the public.

As a result, Sunday trading will be reviewed at the association's annual meeting on July 21.

It is hoped that traders who do not open on Sundays will be persuaded to open their doors for seven days a week.