Retail expert Graham Soult shares views on Darlington Market

Retail consultant Graham Soult says a "marriage" of old and new is the way to keep the market alive, as shopping habits and high streets change.

It comes after the closure of a well established butcher at the town's historic market prompted traders to speak out and say they "can't see any turnaround" with footfall.

Darlington Market. (Image: PR) Greengrocer Robin Blair, Darlington's longest-serving market trader admitted he was "hanging on" and was concerned for the future.

Meanwhile market boss Michael Harvey said traders have "got to move with the change" as he hit back at negativity and rose-tinted perspectives.

But, retail expert Graham has said Darlington's struggles mirror those of other markets across the country, and praised its efforts to blend traditional traders with modern businesses.

Graham told The Northern Echo: "If you look at a lot of indoor markets across the UK, a lot of them have been finding it quite tough.

Inside Darlington Market. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) "Often, they haven't had investment over the years so you are left with giant buildings that are hard to maintain and heat.

"Some of the kinds of traders you find in the indoor markets are businesses that are becoming less prominent on the high street. 

"A lot of places have tried to do what Darlington has done and develop a blend of uses - where you still have traditional stalls that people expect to find like greengrocers and butchers but updating it by including street food and making markets places that are active into the evening as well.

Inside Darlington Market. "I think that is the right approach. If you look at some markets that are doing well like Shrewsbury Market, it has been updated but hasn't lost its soul.

"Updating markets with street food stalls and cafes to bring in a more diverse customer is the right approach. I think Darlington has been right to do that."

Currently, JJ Blair and Sons is one of just two traditional traders left in the market, after David Jackson Butchers closed after 47 years of trading on July 26.

On the other side of the market, street food stalls including Haus der Bratwurste, Mexican street food stall Casa Del Alma and the Bodega Delizia remain.

Graham Soult on his last visit to Darlington Market. (Image: GRAHAM SOULT) Reminiscing on his last visit, Graham added: "The last time I went in to Darlington Market a few years ago, for lunch and a beer, it was  a bit lacking in atmosphere. 

"It didn't feel like it had quite the right balance of old and new. It's hard to curate that - but you know when it's not right.

"A lot of modern shoppers do value a traditional greengrocer and butcher - those are really popular.

"But, in a lot of those successful markets have a combination of traditional retailers and more modern, independent traders."

Meanwhile Graham echoed boss Michael Harvey's calls for positivity, saying customer negativity is a huge factor at play when it comes to keeping markets alive.

"There are people who talk down about their own town, which is frustrating," he said. 

"People complain on Facebook and in comment sections because they care, ultimately. But, it's all about turning around that kind of thinking. If they want their market and town to improve, moaning about it on Facebook isn't going to help.

"The way you make a market better is that you go in and support the businesses you like. If they are doing well, and there's a buzz, that's how you attract more investment.

"It's very easy to look back at how things were ten, 20, 30 years ago and wish things were how they were.

"But that's not how retail or the high street works. If you looked at the high street in, let's say 1900, it's very different to how it was in 1850. There's always change."

As for what comes next for Darlington Market, Graham said bosses should try to "hang on" to traditional traders as they modernise around them.

He said: "It's really important to hang on to historic traders - if you lose your greengrocer or butcher it is not impossible to attract a new one but it's harder than keeping the one you've got.

"But at the same time, it's absolutely right that these flagship, historic buildings should have life after 4pm, bringing in people who may not have been there before.

"The approach of making markets this marriage of traditional retail and new creative independence is absolutely right, but getting that alchemy right is a hard thing to achieve."