The “hustle and bustle” is back at Darlington Binns as House of Fraser agrees to stay in town - with the store manager promising it will be “bigger and better than it ever was before”.
Parker Barras, the agent for the building's new owner, today (November 11) confirmed that the retailer had made a deal to stay in the High Row building, just days before it was due to close.
Closing down signs were stripped from the building following weeks of behind-the-scenes work between the new owner and Frasers Group chiefs.
Now, House of Fraser store manager Simon Rochester has told how the news was like a “ray of sunshine” for the store and its workers following an emotional few months.
Works are now quickly underway to transform the interior of the store back to how it once was - and decorate it with some Christmas cheer as the festive shopping season gets underway.
Simon, who has been manager of the store for four years, said: "It’s good news not just for House of Fraser but for Darlington.
“In a town like Darlington, its heart is House of Fraser. I just know that independent businesses rely on the footfall it brings - it’s good news for us as a town and for the Darlington high street.”
The House of Fraser store was first announced to be closing in September, after the landlord terminated the chain’s lease ahead of the building being sold.
Since then, the store has held a 20% off full-price sale - which has now ended - and work has already begun to clear the retail floorspace.
But on Monday, as the news was finally confirmed, Simon said the “hustle and bustle” was back at Binns, with staff and customers alike thrilled.
He said: “So many staff have worked here for a number of years and it would’ve been heart breaking if they were out of a job.
“As we came closer to closing the door, it became more emotional.
“But it’s good news now - it’s like a ray of sunshine. People are ecstatic. There is a hustle and bustle about the place and we’re now getting the store back before Christmas.”
‘Everyone is so pleased’
Simon said the changes were already “enormous” in store, despite the news only being announced this morning: “You can feel it yourself.
"The restaurant is rammed, we’ve got the hustle and bustle back.
“Everyone is so pleased here - it’s not just a shop, it’s a staple of time. With the location of it, it brings footfall to the rest of the town.
“Today we’ve had lots of deliveries and we’re expecting some new brands in the store. We’re getting the store back to the heart of the high street.”
Simon said when the opportunity arose to remain in the town, House of Fraser “jumped” at the opportunity: “We got the call to say yes it was happening basically over the weekend.
“We’ve not really had a chance to ask any questions, we’ve just started getting the store back to what it was. And we want it back bigger, and better, than it ever was before.”
Signs down - and morale up
House of Fraser was due to close later this month after the previous landlord made the decision to terminate its lease earlier this year.
When the building was bought out by a local investor, The Northern Echo reported how the chain had “agreed terms” for the store to stay put.
Closing down signs were finally taken down around the store on Monday (November 11) - and while details regarding the deal remain unknown, Parker Barras confirmed it had agreed the deal and that the posters had been removed.
The Northern Echo headed to High Row to speak with shoppers about the news of the deal, who were thrilled to find the brand would be staying.
One woman said: “It would’ve been a shame to see it go - it is part of the furniture of Darlington."
Darlington Council deputy leader Chris McEwan added that 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.
Frasers Group said: "We’re pleased to confirm that House of Fraser Darlington will remain open and is operating business as usual. We’re looking forward to continuing to welcome our valued customers to this location. "
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