Binns' history in Darlington as store's future left uncertain

Once branded the Harrods of the North-East, Binns has been a regional institution for decades, with stores across Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and South Shields. 

But it was the Darlington store, on High Row, that bucked the national trend, staying put as big name brands such as Marks and Spencer and BHS closed for good.

Despite the likes of Covid, the cost of living crisis, and administration fears, the now-House of Fraser remains the only department store in Darlington.

But now, just six years after concerns were last raised over the future of the store, the building has been put on the market with a £1m price tag. 

The Binns store in Darlington (Picture courtesy of the Darlington Centre for Local Studies)

Commercial property advisor Cited listed the building online as a “significant town centre repositioning opportunity” last month. 

A brochure notes how the site could be suited to “an array of alternative uses”, with the potential for refurbishment or the continuation of a lease with House of Fraser. 

House of Fraser - which currently operates from the property through a licence to occupy, signed in 2021 - has not yet commented on the news. 

As uncertainty looms over the future of the building, The Northern Echo looks back at Binns and its long-standing history in the town. 

Binns and Darlington - a relationship spanning a century

Formed by Quaker draper George Binns in Sunderland in 1807, it’s fair to say Binns became a regional institution - with its simple slogan ‘shop at Binns’ a familiar sight across the North East.

It was August 1922 when the firm finally decided to expand into Darlington, taking over Arthur Sanders’ drapery business. 

It spent £15,000 on revamping its first Darlington store on High Row and then later expanded the site. 

But on January 24, 1925, the largest fire for decades broke out at the rear of the building, causing the loss of £50,000-worth of stock.

The fire at Binns' first store on High Row in January 1925 (Picture courtesy of the Darlington Centre for Local Studies)

Binns had been buying up property on the corner of High Row before the blaze even took place - and it was the fire that piled on the pressure to acquire the new building. 

Despite not owning all the properties that the building wrapped around - such as Sidgwick’s drapery - Binns got straight to work. 

Just months later, in November 1925, it had launched its Selfridges-influenced store on High Row with classic white brickwork - wrapping itself around the sites it could not purchase. 

Binns on High Row, in Darlington (Image: Binns archive)

Binns had taken on the Sidgwick’s and Boots stores by 1935, and were rebuilt by Binns. 

It wasn’t until 1953 when T Wood closed and was bought out, and not until 1973 that this store was rebuilt using Europe’s largest crane.

House of Fraser took over the chain in 1953, with the Darlington store being the only one left under the Binns name. 

House of Fraser in Darlington today (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

And it was public pressure that helped Darlington maintain the Binns name, after a refurb in 2016 placed it under threat. 

Thanks to this, now both Binns and House of Fraser logos can be seen adorning the outside of the building. 

House of Fraser’s future in Darlington being up in the air is not unfamiliar - with the building being put up for sale back in 2019.

This came just one year after Darlington Council secured the building’s future for 12 to 18 months in 2018 as part of a new deal - with a "use it or lose it" warning issued to shoppers.

At the time, The Northern Echo reported how the building was on the market as a "safety net", in case a new agreement couldn’t be reached.

Ex-Darlington MP baroness Jenny Chapman said it was "deeply concerning" to see the building up for sale in 2019, saying it was "critical" that the council did everything to keep the site open. 

Regarding the news revealed by The Northern Echo on Tuesday, Ian Williams, Darlington Council’s Chief Executive said: “We are aware that the owner of the building has indicated that the building is for sale and, we understand, with a sitting tenant.

"Darlington Town Centre remains an attractive well-rounded location with a diverse retail and leisure offer attracting many visitors who enjoy the experience on offer."

Frasers Group has been contacted for comment, but has not yet responded.