HOPE spring eternal for Binns, or so people close the ongoing negotiations to rescue Darlington’s most prestigious store would have us believe.

Like many of you we hope that this is true, but would it really be the end of the world if it went?

The fate of a chain store may seem like the most important thing in the world to some people. Where else would you go for a nice coffee and a slice of cake or some expensive perfume if House of Fraser ups sticks?

It is fair to assume that the demise of posh shops won’t be very high on the list of priorities for the thousands of people in our region who every week rely on food banks to feed themselves and their family.

The outcry about the closures of Marks and Spencer and Binns is understandable. Towns such as Darlington, Durham and Middlesbrough are fearful that the loss of flagship shops undermines their appeal and adds fuel to the argument that high streets have had their day and retail parks are the only game in town, or rather on the outskirts of town.

The vibrancy of our town centres is about far more than whether or not a few fancy shops decide to continue trading in them.

Binns may well secure a stay of execution but at some point it will close forever when .

The decision to shut the profitable Darlington branch may well be premature. Keeping it open is something that will be cheered by many of our readers, but