Ambitions to expand a town centre “café culture” have taken a step forward after plans to redevelop a popular hotspot were submitted.

Coniscliffe Road in Darlington town centre is the latest area to receive significant investment as part of a bid to encourage people to visit local businesses. 

Plans submitted by Darlington Borough Council show how the area, to the west of the town centre, will be redeveloped to create a social space and focal point for outdoor dining and hospitality.

A statement from the local authority submitted alongside the plans, read: “A grassroots café culture has arisen, and the council seek to build on this to boost town centre vitality through improvements to the road network and public realm along Coniscliffe Road.

“The improvements will encourage more people to visit and spend their leisure time and money in the area’s cafes/ shops, in turn benefiting the local economy by supporting businesses, jobs.”

The Northern Echo: Plans submitted by Darlington Borough Council show how the area, to the west of the town centre, will be redeveloped to create a social space and focal point for outdoor dining and hospitality.Plans submitted by Darlington Borough Council show how the area, to the west of the town centre, will be redeveloped to create a social space and focal point for outdoor dining and hospitality. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

As part of the plans, footpaths will be widened, two-way cycle access will be created, and a new ‘pocket park’ will open on the North side of the street. 

A Pedestrian Cycle Zone would be implemented between 10am-10pm, controlled by a raised bollard, reverting to a one way street outside of these hours with contraflow cycling provision. Local access will be made available to businesses, residents, refuse lorries, and emergency vehicles between this period. 

The bus routes for Services 12 and X75/76 via Victoria Road have been permanently rerouted to avoid this section of Coniscliffe Road and the bus stop will be removed. 

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The overall cost of the scheme is estimated at £940,000, with £700,000 to be funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority and £240,000 will be matched funded through Darlington’s Town Board Fund.

Daryl Clough, who runs the Orb Micropub, is excited about the pavement seating becoming permanent. “I can’t say enough how much it has changed this area of Darlington,” he said. “Coming out of Covid, when we got our outside seating, it wasn’t just a lifesaver to keep us in business, it made the area buzzing.”

It comes after recent work to the historic yards and improvements along Skinnergate. A council report added: “These improvements will act as a catalyst for economic growth and town centre recovery by increasing footfall to businesses, accommodating street cafes, improving green space, and prioritising pedestrians and cyclists.”