Darlington Coniscliffe Road planters moved after pub backlash

The street furniture on Coniscliffe Road has caused controversy among bar owners on the street who said they were "bamboozled" after the huge new planters left them with next to no outdoor space for tables. 

But heavy machinery moved in today (Monday, March 31) to lift and remove the planters from outside of the Number Twenty 2 and Hash bars.

The planters being moved (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) It took just a few minutes for the planters to be removed. Metal fencing remains around the area and plywood boards have been placed on the pavement. Street furniture along the rest of the road is still in place.

Vicki Ramsey Hammond, owner of Number Twenty 2, and Hash owner Jasmin Robson had previously warned that they could have lost income due to the new planters limiting their outdoor offering. 

Vicki Ramsey Hammond, owner of Number Twenty 2, and Hash owner Jasmin Robson (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) They claim they only found out about the location and size of the planters - part of Darlington Council's £1 million plans to revamp Coniscliffe Road - when they were put up on Sunday, February 9. 

Since then, the business owners have had meetings with the council's licensing department to raise their concerns in order to come to an agreement.

The planters on Coniscliffe Road (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) Despite liking their design, Vicki and Jasmin slammed a “lack of communication” between Darlington Council and the venues over the works, which have been ongoing for several months.

This came after the council previously had to remove benches placed outside the venue following similar complaints. 

​In response to that, the council said it had listened to the feedback and agreed to move the benches to help the businesses. 

Work has started on removing the street furniture from in front of the businesses on Coniscliffe Road (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) However, a few weeks later the planters were put in the same place previously occupied by the benches - causing the exact same space and licensing issues for the pubs.

The new place of the benches on Coniscliffe Road after they were moved following backlash from venues (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Jasmin, who has run Hash for 20 years with husband Phil, said if the planters were to remain in place, they “wouldn't bother” with seating due to only being able to fit one table outside in a “disappointing” move. 

Meanwhile, Vicki, who took over as owner of Number Twenty 2 in 2023, said they would see their outdoor offering slashed in half and is “bamboozled” by the decision if it were to of stuck in place.

Work has started on removing the benches from in front of the businesses on Coniscliffe Road (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) Businesses on Coniscliffe Road have said that they were informed about the planters being moved after raising their concerns with the council.

Work continues on Coniscliffe Road (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

READ MORE:

• Darlington Coniscliffe Road benches moved after pub concerns
• Backlash over new planters on Coniscliffe Road, Darlington
• Major redevelopment of Coniscliffe Road in Darlington approved

Once the planters were removed from the pavement, they were replaced with plywood, as the council continues to work on the Coniscliffe Road project.

The redevelopment of the area is estimated to cost about £940,000 and has been designed to boost town centre trade.  

Following the removal of the planters, a Darlington Council spokesperson said: "All we can say at this stage is work is continuing as previously agreed."