Bubble tea shop, Sing Tea, opens in Darlington town centre

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, originates from Taiwan, and has exploded in popularity in this country in the last few years, and Darlington is no exception.

Sing Tea has opened on Blackwellgate in the town centre. The shop does not yet have a sign up, and so there will be an ‘official opening’ later this month.

The Northern Echo headed down to see what it’s all about and try some bubble tea.

Qun Ferreira and Ting Zhao from Sing Tea in Darlington. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

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The shop is run by Qun (English name: Patricia) Ferreira and her best friend of ten years, Ting Zhao.

Ms Ferreira, who lives in Eaglescliffe, said: “We opened on 18th March, but we don’t have a sign up yet so when we have that we’ll having a proper grand opening.

“Business has been good so far! People just walk past and see us, and they come in. We’ve got a good space here.

“The other businesses nearby have been really nice and welcoming as well, so that’s been great. When I saw this place was empty, I knew we should take it straight away. I thought that will be our shop.”

There are plenty of flavours and variations to choose from. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

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This is the latest of Sing Tea shop that Ms Ferreira has opened in the region recently, including in Yarm and Middlesbrough, and there are plans in the works to open a shop in Durham too.

Ms Zhao, who lives in Newton Aycliffe, and worked as a school dinner lady for nine years, said: “It’s a lot of fun being here, it’s nice to chat with the customers, every customer has a story.

“When it’s your own business it’s ore fun because you feel more relaxed and obviously, we know a lot about boba so we can make customers anything they want.”

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The Echo’s photographer Sarah Caldecott and I were given a drink each to try which got the thumbs up from us. Sarah had a brown sugar milk tea, and I had a peach boba drink but requested it without tea which was refreshing and not too sweet.

The shop also sells Chinese and Japanese snacks, and there are plans to soon sell ice cream too.

The Instagram-worthy tapioca ball drinks are sure to be a hit with students and young people.

Sing Tea is located at 28A Backwellgate, and the opening hours are 11am to 5:30pm/6pm.