A council pledge to regain control of Darlington’s indoor market has been questioned 17 months after it was announced due to an apparent lack of progress. 

Darlington Labour revealed it will bring the town’s flagship market back under council control while campaigning ahead of the local elections in May 2023. 

However, local Conservatives criticised the party’s inactivity and questioned whether it will ever happen. 

Former Council Leader Jonathan Dulston previously said he feared the pledge was “nothing more than a sound bite with absolutely no substance”.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he said: “Are you still committed to bringing the market back into council ownership? 

“I am conscious that the loan repayments have still not started despite assurances previously that we would make those payments.”

Market Asset Management (MAM), the current firm running the site, was tasked with improving the building in 2017 when the then Labour-led council relinquished responsibility. 

A multi-million pound redevelopment scheme has been underway for several years and has seen radical change inside the town centre facility but has also been criticised by visitors, local businesses and politicians. 

Councillor Dulston said the former Conservative-led council even tried to buy back the market from MAM but was unable to because of the “really poor lease agreement that was signed off by Labour” which meant it was “unable to execute the break clause without it costing the taxpayer significant money.”

Discussions between MAM and Darlington Borough Council are ongoing. 

Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, said: “We indicated a desire to take back control but there is a complexity to this, not least because the last administration did nothing. 

“We have been exploring options as to how we can affect this and will be coming back in due course. Our ultimate commitment is to have a vibrant market operating at the heart of our town centre.”

Although several businesses and food traders have closed down since the major reopening in 2021, Cllr McEwan praised the market’s impact on the town centre. 

He added: “There has been considerable progress in the market in terms of delivery. I was there on Saturday night for a parmo and it was absolutely buzzing.”