The developer tasked with bringing a new £90m shopping centre to the region was revealed last night. Stuart Mackintosh examines how the announcement will affect the Darlington revival.

THE opening of the Cornmill Centre 13 years ago heralded the start of a new retail era for Darlington town centre.

It was just what locals and visitors had clamoured for - not exactly a rival to the MetroCentre, but a complex offering a relaxed shopping environment that brought the town into line with its regional competitors.

But, in the 21st Century, needs have changed and a shot in the arm for Darlington town centre had become a necessity in recent years.

Last night, the borough council was hopeful that it had finally paved the way for such a fresh injection of vitality.

London-based Discovery Properties is the preferred developer for the £90m Commercial Street centre.

At present, the land on which the complex would stand serves only as a car park. By the start of 2009, however, it will be dramatically different.

Discovery's blueprint for the site features a linked development of both Commercial Street and the nearby Kendrew Street land.

A four-storey centre would provide 29,365sq m of accommodation, linked to the Queen Street shopping centre.

Shops, including a big-name department store, would take up the ground and first floors.

The second would accommodate the top level of the department store, as well as providing access to restaurants and a cinema.

A bridge linking Commercial Street to the Kendrew Street site would also be at this level.

It would cross St Augustine's Way, taking visitors over to a 900-space multi-storey car park.

Eighteen apartments looking towards the Gladstone Street conservation area would also be created on that side of the development.

On the top floor would be a nightclub and the upper level of the cinema. A spectacular glass atrium, with a "winter garden" area, would face the Northgate roundabout.

Commercial Street represents the latest aspect of the changing face of Darlington town centre.

A controversial £6.5m pedestrian heart scheme, approved by planners last month, will see the centre become a no-go area for traffic.

For all the council's claims that the majority of residents were backing the work, Darlington Civic Trust still collected 4,635 signatures on a petition opposing the removal of historic features on High Row.

An extra bus lane will be created in St Cuthbert's Way - a development which has already started, with roadworks causing chaos on the ring road.

Elsewhere, supermarket Tesco has held early talks about the possibility of demolishing and rebuilding the ageing town hall, as well as redeveloping the Feethams area, which includes the old bus station and nearby council car park.

Meanwhile, residents and shoppers are starting to see the fruits of the labours to revamp the Crown Street car park.

A 410-space multi-storey car park, together with a TK Maxx superstore, is due to open in December.

It's a long way from the opening of the two-storey Cornmill over a decade ago and Darlington may never realistically match the likes of Newcastle or the MetroCentre as a big attraction to shoppers.

But community leaders will be confident today that, bit by bit, the gap is closing.