Darlington's nightlife once drew people in from miles around but has more recently been in the doldrums. Reporter Nick Gullon speaks to entrepreneurs who believe the good old days are coming back.

“WHEN I was younger, it was second only to Newcastle.”

Tim Wilks recalls the days when Darlington was the place to be on a Friday or Saturday night.

“It was a huge draw for lots of people in villages all around the town.

“There were people all along Skinnergate – it was full of bars, clubs and restaurants.”

But reminiscing may no longer be necessary, as the last year has shown, night life in Darlington seems to be on the up.

Tim himself saw this newly discovered potential, bringing the first pop up bar to the town.

Liquorette opened in Darlington's Houndgate area just before Christmas, and he has been pleased with what he has seen so far.

“There was a shift about five or six years ago, when we noticed there was an increase in the opportunities available.

“We thought we’d do the pop-up bar first and see if we could do something a bit more permanent.

“People want to spend their money in different ways – take a look at the shops on the high street now.

“Things are going to change – change is going to happen.”

Paul Lefevre also believes a booming Skinnergate is very much the present, rather than the past.

The Northern Echo:

The team behind the Number One Bar

He is behind the town’s recently-opened Number One Bar, just a few hundred yards away from Liquorette, and he couldn’t be more excited about the future.

“We always wanted to open a bar and this opportunity came up.

“It seems one end of the town is winding down – where the library is and the old McDonalds site, but the other side is really thriving, whether it be us or Blue Lagoon, Truffle, The Keys, Avalon or The Grange.

Paul runs the bar with brothers David and Paul Pearson, all of whom were “born and bred” in Darlington, and they have seen the changes over the years.

“It has absolutely grown – Darlington is on the rise again.

“We have seen an increase in the number of older clients, whether it be pre-meal drinks, after dinner drinks or tied in with a trip to the theatre.

“There really is something for everyone now.”

Before launching his pop-up bar, Tim said he would definitely consider other ventures for the town if Liquorette is a success.

As the owner of a ten-pin bowling business, there are many locations in the town that could appeal to him.

Crown Street would seem the obvious choice, with TK Maxx announcing it is leaving its current site there, the future of the library still uncertain and the building which houses The Northern Echo up for sale.

But Tim has his eyes fixed to one project for now – the Feethams development.

The leisure site, which saw a £30m transformation of a former bus depot, was opened last summer and includes numerous restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and an 80 bedroom hotel.

“We have got to see what happens with that - everyone is keeping an eye on it and that will decide on future investment.

“It was a key development - if it works, it will encourage others to follow.”

Alex Hirst, manager at Distinct Darlington, said Feethams had proven to be a “huge boost“ to the leisure economy in Darlington.

“It’s great to see that not only are national brands, such as Bella Italia, Prezzo and Nando’s, investing in Darlington’s night-time economy, but several independently-owned bars have opened, too - most recently Number One Bar, Liquorette and The Wandering Duck.

“The BID has committed to further boosting the evening economy in its next five year term through a variety of initiatives and we look forward to working with businesses and seeing Darlington’s evening and leisure economy continue to develop and expand even further.”

Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration added: “It is fantastic to see new restaurants and bars seizing on the opportunities that Darlington has to offer.

“The Feethams development is integral to the mix, but the variety now on offer across the town means that we’re rapidly becoming a night time destination.”

Paul, of Number One Bar, goes one step further.

“Darlington is now the first choice for people and I love it.

“That isn’t a biased view – I live in Saltburn and people travel from there especially to go to Darlington.

“People in the North East love to go out – it is a question of cycles and right now we are in a good one.”

It seems Darlington’s status as the place to be on a Friday and Saturday night will no longer be just a memory.