The closure of the Marks and Spencer store in Darlington town centre this week, followed by the opening of a new food hall at West Park provoked scores of comments on The Northern Echo website. Here are a selection of the views:

Who do think you're kidding?

It is the end of an era, but sadly a sign of the times. Internet, convenient free parking and in M&S's case a perceived dated image (and arguably product range) – as far as the younger generation are concerned – have killed the big high street stores. Thoughts are with the staff and shoppers who are not fortunate to have the cars and mobility as some of us.

blegin

We will use M&S at Teesside Park – it's just as quick from Whinfield area of town!

noctu

I'm sad that the closure of the town centre branch will impact on the town centre as a whole. However I am pleased that I'll be able to shop for food at the West Park M&S. I didn't bother going to the town centre M&S for anything as the clothing offering was poor, and parking was a nightmare. This meant that I couldn't buy more than a few food items without having to cart it round town back to the car park.

Popping in to the M&S stores at Teesside Park, West Auckland, and Team Valley Retail Park were blissful in comparison.

The comments about West Park being some sort of far flung area of Darlington are laughable. Plenty of Darlington residents live in West Park, High Grange, and Cockerton, and will be pleased to have this nearby. You didn't hear people from that end of town moaning about The Range, Dunelm Mill etc opening over Yarm Road way. Maybe residents who live on the east side of town and enjoy convenient access to other retail parks will just have to travel over the west side for a change.

 

SteveHarper

Another nail in the coffin for the town. Nothing at all in that side of town now to attract affluent people from the West End. You could actually argue that Grange Road and Binns are the only attractions in town now for those with money to spend as the Cornmill moves progressively down market.

Darling76

Very disappointed and sad to see M&S close in the town centre. Up until recently, I used the food hall most days. On I changing jobs, I managed to call in once a week. Now it has moved to West Park I am thinking I will rarely go there due to it being the opposite end of town and not having a car. Did spend quite a bit there. As always these things are out of the everyday person's control so we just have to accept what is decided and go with it. A piece of tradition has gone. Good luck to all the staff, hope the move has brought something positive for them.

Railway worker

The town is full of Turkish hair barbers, pound shops, nail bars and vape shops. A lot of businesses are suffering. A lot more to come I'm afraid.

 

Andy from Banchory

Tragic end of an era. At one time the Northgate Darlington Marks and Spencer was so busy it expanded into what had been Burton the Taylors shop. BHS, Doggarts, Alexandre etc along with Boots kept that part of town busy. People would walk further out to Thornleys for its amazing toy range. A serious attempt must be made to keep Binns functioning in the town centre. Put the Market back on the Market Place and get some good shops in the indoor market that people would want to use would be a start on turning the town centre around. Access to Darlington town centre needs to be improved.The type of pedestrianisation adopted does not work nor does the ridiculous bus merry go round. Buses need to be able to come into town from all directions as they used to do. The council economic development team need to go back to Marks and Spencer and identify if it might be possible to at least re-open a food hall perhaps in the Cornmill. Perhaps a leisure use can be found for the now closed M&S. The rot set in when Dressers closed on High Row to be replaced by Poundland. Does someone somewhere not understand unless they offer attractive shops people will not shop there? The number of nail bars, Turkish barbers and betting shops is shocking and they just contribute to a downmarket style of shopping. With some hard work the town centre could be improved by improving the shopping offer. Look at Northallerton, it is a rural but affluent town that has a busy town centre because people want to go there. I think a lot of the Darlington West End shop in Northallerton now. The library must be kept on Crown Street and one by one those involved in marketing need to identify how to turn around the town centre and get empty shops occupied with decent and attractive shops. With Rail 200 coming in 2025 there is a lot of work to do.Why one of the most important buildings in world Rail History – Peases House in Houndgate – is not being used as a museum and major attraction is one of the mysteries of the day. In any other town or city the marketing pull of the birth place of rail passenger services would be used as a major catalyst for visitors and locals.

Darlokid

Not just Darlington. This is happening all over the country. Those that say it is the fault of the council are deluded. It is the fault of the Tory government.

Topband

M&S is an outdated brand. As are many of the high street retailers. Online shopping is king. I can order now (check time) and have delivery tomorrow. Unless you yearn for the shopping experience, there's nowt to worry about.

Sined 67

Whilst losing M&S from our high street is a huge loss, it is going to be the norm I fear what with the parking charges and the state of a lot of town centres it is not surprising people are shopping in comfort of their own homes. Added to that I must say M&S was a market leader for years and thought they would keep their core of shoppers but they did not go with the fashions and styles and started selling over priced and lesser quality goods for the same high prices. It was always said you could trust M&S not anymore. It is a victim of burying its head in the sand and poor management.