A TRADITIONAL retail business was praised today for investing in a town centre with a £250,000 move into a new store.

Seymour’s Home, which was established as a feature of Darlington’s historic covered market in 1953, has moved to the upmarket Grange Road quarter of the town.

Founder Seymour Borlant, now 83, was among a group of well-wishers as the stylish new store was opened by veteran Darlington market trader Robin Blair in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mr Borland senior said: “We have been dedicated to Darlington. The town has been good to me and, hopefully, we’ve been good to the town, so it was important that we stayed.”

His son Jeremy, who runs the soft furnishings business, added: “We are making a statement that the high street is far from dead. There is still a future as long as you make the product and shopping experience special. This is a vote of confidence in Darlington’s future.”

Mr Blair, who started working on his family’s fruit and veg store when he was a boy of eight, said: “It is a wonderful new store and I want to say thank you to Seymour’s for sticking with Darlington.

“It really would have been a crying shame to lose them because Darlington needs all the support it can get. I am sure the store will go from strength to strength because it offers quality products.”

Councillor Chris McEwan, who is Darlington Borough Council’s lead for the economy and regeneration, said: “It is great to see such an important business show faith in Darlington. Seymour’s personifies how retail has to move – by exciting the customer and creating an enjoyable experience.”