“It would’ve been a shame to see it go - it is part of the furniture of Darlington.”
After months of uncertainty, House of Fraser has officially agreed a deal to stay in the historic Binns building on High Row - and Darlington shoppers are thrilled.
Today (November 11), Parker Barras confirmed that the fashion chain had signed on the dotted line, weeks after it was first revealed that terms had been agreed.
The news came just days before the store was set to close for the final time, following the previous landlord’s decision to terminate the lease.
However, on High Row this morning people gave their views on the news.
“I’m glad it’s staying,” Joe, 68, from Darlington said. “If you take that away, then Darlington is finished. It’s the biggest part of Darlington.
“I have lived here for 27 years and it has seemed to go down and down with shop after shop [closing]. My wife shops in House of Fraser all the time, she’s in there at the moment.
“It’s definitely a good thing for the town. Everybody has been up in arms about it.”
Meanwhile, fellow shopper Marie De-St-Croix praised the news as “brilliant”: “Once that closes down, you may as well say goodbye to the town.
“It would’ve been a shame to see it go - it is part of the furniture of Darlington. I pop into there two or three times a week, and sometimes pick up some good deals.
The 71-year-old, who has lived in the town since 1989, added: “It would be a shame to see it empty. I’m really glad.”
‘This is brilliant news’
Brenda O’Brien, 81, couldn’t be happier about House of Fraser staying. She said: “I always go in there on a Monday morning - this is brilliant news.
“It keeps all of the staff in jobs and it is always a nice place to go. You wouldn’t have been able to get anybody in there to fill it.”
This was mirrored by Susan Lovell, who is originally from Colchester, who said: "I don’t go in there a lot because I find it quite expensive but I go in for the sales and it is nice in there, and the staff are nice too.”
That said, the 72-year-old added she had noticed the decline of the high street in general: “I’ve lived in Darlington for eight years and quite a few shops have closed since we have been here.”
While many were quick to praise the news, Paul Sams, who has lived in the town for more than 50 years, had mixed opinions and was worried for the wider future of the town.
“I don’t go into it because it is too dear," he admitted.
When asked whether he thought it was good news that House of Fraser was to stay, the 75-year-old admitted: “Well, yes and no. Darlington needs more than just one shop back - look at the market. Years ago the market was full of stores.”
Paul argued that other factors had been affecting the decline in retail in Darlington: “I do think parking should be free across North East towns because people go out of town to shopping centres where the parking is free.
“I think out-of-town shopping centres are the death knell to Darlington. Just go and look at the empty shops in Darlington.”
‘Vital boost to community and local economy’
As previously reported, House of Fraser was due to close later this month after the previous landlord made the decision to terminate its lease.
However, after the property was purchased, the new owner met with Darlington Council officers to discuss future plans for the building.
Then, after weeks of speculation, closing down signs were taken down around the store today.
While details regarding the new terms remain unknown, Parker Barras said: "Parker Barras are pleased to announce we have agreed a deal with House of Fraser to remain in the Darlington store and the closing down posters are now been removed!"
Darlington Council deputy leader Chris McEwan said he was “thrilled” about the news: “I'm thrilled to welcome the news that a deal has been confirmed to secure the future of Binns.
"This iconic store has been a cherished part of our town’s heritage, and these latest developments represent a vital boost to our community and local economy.
The D&S has contacted Frasers Group for more information.
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