LABOUR’S Stephen Harker is taking on the role of Darlington Borough Council leader from Bill Dixon, who is retiring after 30 years service.

Many shoppers in the town centre hope the new leader will try and regenerate Darlington town centre, which has suffered several recent store closures.

Young business owner Anton Hodgson thought Cllr Harker should focus on supporting existing businesses in the town, especially after the announcement that House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer are closing.

The 18-year-old said: “A lot of the businesses have left Darlington which isn’t good for our town, there are no shops here anymore. I run my own business, so I care a lot about the shops in the area.

“Rent prices need to come down for shops to stay in Darlington – they’re far too high, it’s no wonder people are leaving.”

Another shopper concerned about the town centre businesses was 56-year-old Judith Simmons.

She said: “I hope he can stop all the shops closing. It’s ridiculous."

Sophie Walker from Richmond agreed that too many of the shops in Darlington are closing.

She said: “I’m not from Darlington I only come here occasionally.

"I think the council should look at the businesses in the area, they’re all going and there’s going to be nothing left.”

Some of the shoppers were unaware who Cllr Harker was but were keen to see him take on the role.

June Braid, 61, of Darlington, said: “I didn’t know who he is, but I’ve heard of Bill Dixon though. If you look at the town now it’s just depressing I thought they’d fight the shop closures at least.”

Other shoppers hoped Cllr Harker would stop the closure of Darlington Library.

Ian Coker has lived in Darlington his whole life and was devastated about the planned closure of the library on Crown Street.

He said: “I object to the things which are happening in the town now. I hope the new council leader can save the library and keep it in its current condition.

“I think Stephen Harker has always been in the shadow of Bill Dixon but now it’s his time to take charge.”

Many of the shoppers had high hopes for the council leader and thought he could improve the town.

David Wood from Darlington said: “I think the new council leader will be a breath of fresh air. It’s good we’ve got a man in charge who’s working with local MPs.”

Alongside the shoppers’ views, teenagers Scott Walker and Madeline Wood weighed in on the debate, they thought more effort should be put into monitoring areas to stop anti-social behaviour in the town.

Mr Walker of Barnard Castle said: “There’s been really big problems around South Park with fires and drinking. I’d like to see him put CCTV in the area to stop it.”

Miss Wood agreed with the 19-year-old. She said: “I think he should work on getting more CCTV cameras in areas of Darlington because there’s a lot of underage drinking which goes on and it needs addressing.

“It’s really bad in South Park, there’s been fires and things in the past which could be stopped if cameras were there, we could find out who’s starting them so it wouldn’t happen again.

“I also want him to bring more car parks to the town as parking is bad in Darlington. I know the council are introducing free parking though.”