Shoppers say they fear Darlington will become a “ghost town” after the House of Fraser building was put up for sale - leaving its future in the town uncertain.
The Northern Echo revealed on Tuesday that the former Binns building had been put on the market for £1m as a “significant town centre repositioning opportunity”.
This has left a question mark looming over the future of the town’s last remaining department store - which has been a retail landmark on High Row for decades.
Darlington Council Chief Executive Ian Williams said he was aware the owner of the building indicated it was for sale, and understood this was with sitting tenant House of Fraser.
The Echo headed out into Darlington on Wednesday to speak to shoppers, who said it would be a “shame” if the “long-established and iconic building” was made empty.
'It is a part of the town'
Sue Andrew, who has lived in Darlington all of her life, said: “I think it is sad. I’ve been here all of my life and it is a part of the town.
“It’ll be flats. There is more and more of the town centre turning into accommodation and it would be a shame to go - you used to go in there and could get everything you wanted.”
The 64-year-old continued: “I can’t see anyone else moving in.”
Her friend, Sandra Elgie, argued that it was “not worth coming into town” anymore due to the amount of shop closures.
Darlington, like many other town centres across the country, has fallen victim to the national demise of department stores.
M&S, Wilko, and BHS are among the big-name brands that shut up shop in the last few years.
Toni Harker, 52, said she used to go into the shop to buy and browse products but now will only pop in “to use the toilet.”
The grandmother-of-two argued: “The council have done everything to make the Darlington Market better. But there are no shops.”
Pam Jeffrey, 78, was another Darlington resident who said she didn’t use the shop.
“It only seems to cater for the younger generation. I’d rather someone else take over,” she argued.
“I used to shop there a lot when it was Binns. It would be sad to see a department store go - but it might as well be flats than a pound shop.”
One anonymous shopper, who was meeting her friend for a catchup near House of Fraser, said it would be a “shame” for the town if it were to close.
She explained: “This is the only department shop in town, this is a shame. It doesn’t seem the same since it was taken over four years ago.
“We need to attract people to come into Darlington.”
Alban Leggett, 74, mirrored these thoughts: “It is a shame - it is a long-established and iconic building. It would be nice to see something else in it.”
The Darlington resident, who was born in St Albans but has lived in the town for 40 years, continued: “I am happy with what it is.
“My wife and granddaughter use it and I think it is popular.”
However, Kennedy Mann, who runs Nail Bar 1 on Coniscliffe Road, argued there was “never anything in”.
The 25-year-old businesswoman explained: “I’ve got clients from my beauty business who do go in - they do have a look but not a lot buy anything.
“I do all my shopping online. I don’t come into town at all, only for work.”
Question mark over House of Fraser’s future
The property sale, which was published last month, notes how future uses of the building could include a new lease with House of Fraser or a potential new firm.
It also highlights the potential refurbishment of the site to form high-quality retail and leisure units on the lower floor and residential, office, or hotel use for the upper floors.
House of Fraser currently operates from the building through a licence to occupy, which was signed in 2021 by SDI Propco 37 Limited.
The license is determinable by both the landlord and licensee at any point - but this is subject to no less than three months notice.
A full statement from Mr Williams 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."
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