New Starbucks drive-thru in Darlington moves closer

An application for several signs related to the business and its drive-thru facility were recently approved by Darlington Borough Council’s planning department, paving the way for the scheme to progress. 

The Starbucks cafe is the next phase of a scheme which also includes a new Home Bargains store. A new Lidl supermarket was recently built on the site. 

Councillors approved the plans in 2020 despite claims that the new stores would have a detrimental impact on surrounding businesses. The planning committee rejected the findings of an independent study it commissioned which concluded the proposed Faverdale Industrial Estate stores could have a damaging impact on businesses in nearby Cockerton. 

The meeting heard the study’s findings only represented “an educated professional guess” and the type of stores being planned contrasted with those in neighbouring areas.

An application for several signs related to the business and its drive-thru facility were recently approved (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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Instead, councillors heard more than 120 residents had written to the council to highlight their support for the application, with many saying they wanted to be able to shop without having to travel to Cockerton, the town centre, Yarm Road or Morton Park.

Plans for the new Home Bargains store also progressed earlier this year and it is due to open later in 2023.