TALKS are under way to determine whether a new shopping centre could be built in Darlington.

The borough council is consulting with the St Martins Property Company, owner of the town's Queen Street Shopping Centre, to explore the possibility of creating a new retail development.

The talks are focusing on the Commercial Street area, near the town centre, which is used for car parking.

Darlington's town centre development strategy, produced by the council and regional development organisation One NorthEast earlier this year, identified the area as the first choice for development.

The strategy acknowledged that an opportunity existed to provide more shop units for national retailers, which are not fully represented in the town because they cannot find the space they need.

Councillor John Williams, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said discussions were at a very early stage.

"St Martins and the council are the two major landowners in this part of the town centre, so it makes sense for us to work together on a scheme that we hope will be an asset to Darlington by bringing more businesses into the town centre," he said.

Lindsey Robinson, head of development at St Martins, said: "We have owned the Queen Street Shopping Centre for over 20 years, during which time it has proved to be a popular and profitable centre.

"Our research suggests that there is demand from retailers for bigger and better retail space in Darlington, and we are keen to explore this potential opportunity."

The idea has been welcomed by the town's chamber of trade.

Its chairman, Albion Small, who manages the town's Cornmill Centre, said: "Competition is good for business. It is healthy. This would make Darlington bigger, which would make more people want to come to the town and we will all benefit from that."

The news comes a week after reports that five new retailers are expected to move into the Cornmill Centre.

HMV is taking over a 7,000 sq ft double unit, expected to open in October and Au Natural has opened a shop in the centre