TRIBUTES have poured in for a popular Darlington cafe which closed down on Saturday. 

Loyal customers have called for IL Cappuccino cafe, at Darlington Market, to stay open despite a closure order being served on the business. 

The cafe attracts thousands of returning customers each year and has been cited as one of the town's best places for the disabled and elderly. 

Yet despite the appeals, the 35-year-old cafe closed for the final time last weekend as it makes way for the redevelopment of Darlington Market. 

The Northern Echo broke the news earlier this week that Darlington Market has failed to say why IL Cappuccino has been forced out.

This left dozens of its loyal customers to question the future of other prolific businesses in the town centre. 

Read more: Darlington cafe reveals devastation at being forced to close after 35 years

Here's what people have had to say about the cafe's closure:

Paul The Same - "This is immensely shoddy treatment by the market owners. If nothing else, the cafe owners should have been offered a choice of alternative premises."

OldBiddyFrom Barney - "The serious side of this is that the cafe was a community hub where mainly older people met up. The lose of it will affect their mental health and 'stop' them coming into town. It is also going to be very bad news for the local taxi drivers."

Adam J Raine - "A shame really always nice seen people around there, the elderly especially enjoying a chat with each other and a drink.

Linda Smith - "I’ve seen people in tears about this closure. They don’t know where to go now."

The Northern Echo:

Charlie Bradley - "I cannot believe the market managers didn’t try to retain this little long established business. I’ve been told that the street food vendors upstairs are retained on a commission (the market managers take a percentage cut of takings rather than a rent) so they obviously didn’t think this little cafe would make enough. Such a shame."

Jackie Liddle - "Been there for ages always see the folks sitting for a chat and cuppa and making new friends. It will be missed, all for this street carry on."

Read more: Darlington Market slammed for closing IL Cappucino cafe

Jason Swift - "I've been going here quite often recently, bacon and egg buns and a brew, sad to hear its closing."

Natalie Jane Smith - "I used to like going in IL cappuccino for their ice cream."

Pauline Leslie - "That was the place my nanna had her first ever frothy coffee in the late 1980s. She loved it. We went often when we visited the market. Such a shame."

Anthony Pocklington - "Very sad decision. I feel the management are destroying a working class establishment and making the indoor market a hipster, yuppie, poser place charging ridiculous prices!"

Karl Adrian Henderson - "Many good memories of going here from a young boy to an adult. Such a shame."

The Northern Echo:

Sean Mcnulty - "Why close a viable business that is an important part to so many peoples lives??? My mam, god rest her soul, spent many a morning putting the world to rights with the girls sat outside in all weathers…no wonder the town centre is dying."

Faith Bowser - "This is where I used to meet my mate of 58 years every Friday for a cuppa, sadly she's no longer here sorry to hear it's closing."

Robin Patrick Ellwood - "What a disgusting way to treat this lady and her regular customers. I wonder what their plans are for the premises? Let’s hope they realise their mistake and decided to help this lady to stay where she is."

Dee Zoe Clark - "I have been going there from the age of 10 with my mum and now I take my granddaughter there. It’s disgusting what they have done."

Sheila Draper - "I remember this cafe opening in 1985. I was so delighted to get a proper decent coffee. Used it many times, food is very good too. It should stay being the first good coffee house in Darlington."

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