A DAMPER has been put on Sunday trading in Darlington by the decision of the Queen Street centre to stay closed.
The management has decided it would take the plunge only if at least 60pc of its shops were willing, but a poll showed a distinct lack of interest.
At present only 20 town centre stores open and of those about a dozen are in the Cornmill centre which has 50 units. The Cornmill traders' association will discuss the issue at its annual meeting on July 21.
Darlington council and the chamber of trade are anxious that the town does not lose out to Middlesbrough and Stockton as the region's shoppers get out and about on Sundays.
Mr Albion Small, chamber of trade president and manager of the Cornmill, said: "I think a number of retailers are missing the boat. The worry is that the people who go elsewhere to shop on a Sunday might then not do their shopping in Darlington during the week.
"Trading in the Cornmill has been high on Sundays and what is needed now is a united front to show that seven-day trading can be a success in Darlington."
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