AN auctioneers' hopes of expanding its business with a new base in Darlington could be dealt a hammer blow next week.

The Thomas Watson auction house has been in Northumberland Street for 157 years, but bosses are keen to establish a second site in Dudley Road, on the Yarm Road Industrial Estate.

The company has submitted plans to the borough council for a large single-storey building to be used as a main auction house, offices and garage.

There would 35 car parking spaces, a further seven for members of staff and an area for ten bicycles.

In its submission to the council, Thomas Watson said the proposed base would be three times the size of its existing operation, allowing for bigger sales, with more furniture and large items.

Auctions are held fortnightly but a new hall would enable them to be staged weekly.

Goods would also be available for public viewing one or two days before a sale, as opposed to four days at the present site.

The application states that Northumberland Street has been "a characterful home" since 1847.

But it adds: "We have to be mindful of our customers who are finding our premises increasingly difficult to visit."

It also cites the forthcoming introduction of on-street parking charges as a major deterrent to visitors.

The company insists that the planned facility would not be intended to replace the present centre, although it would be monitoring customer reaction to the new location.

But the Council for the Protection of Rural England has objected, saying there are a number of suitable town centre sites that should be investigated.

And council officials are also opposed to the development, recommending that planning committee members refuse permission when they meet on Wednesday.

They say that the development should be in the town centre, or on the edge of it, and also believe that parking charges would remove non-essential parking, freeing space for visitors.

A report to councillors says: "It is improbable that the Northumberland Street hall would remain in operation if the new facility achieves the level of business expected of it."