Darlington independent traders on how town has changed

Traders spoke to The Northern Echo after former MP Peter Gibson held an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening.

Decline in footfall and the scrapping of free parking were some of the biggest changes traders have in the town. However, issues such as anti-social behaviour and a change in shopping habits were also discussed.

Solutions to a decline in footfall and changing shopping habits were raised by traders, which included bringing back some form of free parking and having more police present in the town centre.

Maggie's Coffee & Kitchen, Duke Street

Bought by Jeanette and Alexander MacMurray in 2018, Maggie's Coffee & Kitchen has been feeding Darlington for eight years.

The pair, who have been nominated and won various awards, have spoken of some of the biggest changes they have seen in Darlington.

Alexander commented on the price of parking and said the indoor market is a "big problem".

He added: "The amount of roadworks into town does not encourage people to come into Darlington."

The café owner also lamented the decline in bus services to the town, saying it "does not help".

Alexander MacMurray of Maggie's Coffee & Kitchen (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Sunflower Café, Buxton's Yard

The café celebrates his 21st birthday this year, and owner Debbie Eccles has seen many changes in the town.

One of the biggest changes she has seen is the rise in anti-social behaviour.

She said: "There are a lot more people misbehaving, we have more beggars on the street. The town looks untidy and unkept, especially our yard. They did the yards up, but they have not kept on top of it."

Debbie said she believes these are some of the reasons for the decline in footfall.

She added: "We get quite a lot of elderly people in here and they have said they feel intimidated when they are coming into town."

The café owner said she would like to see some form of free parking return and also more of a police presence in the town centre.

"I can understand the council cannot give free parking all-day, but I would think even if it gave two hours free and maybe £1 or £1.20 after that it would encourage people to come," she said.

"I think more police or PCSOs in the town centre could help combat the anti-social behaviour issue.

"Especially now on a Saturday, people say there are kids running around the shops. At one point, they had to shut the Cornmill Centre because the kids were just running wild. There needs to be a deterrent."

Sunflower Café on Buxton's Yard (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Leggs, Skinnergate

Owned by Ann and John Coxon, the clothes shop has been a mainstay of the high street for a number of years.

John took over the running of the business with his dad in 1972, but he believes Darlington has coped well with change over the last five to ten years.

He said: "Overall, we’re really quite pleased with the way Darlington has coped. There have been changes, one of the most obvious ones is the internet.

"We altered, expanded and continually adapted throughout those years. We are still here, surviving and we are relatively optimistic."

However, he did say he was concerned on the current vision for the town, adding: "I personally do not feel the council has the ‘right vision’ for the town. It has allowed too much peripheral development and so much of that actually sucks business out of the town centre."

The business owner said the town has got to give people a reason to come, but also said the town needs to sell itself more.

John said: "Last year, we had the bicentenary of the railway, which was brilliant, but I don’t think enough use was made of it. However, it was unfortunate that the most important day was an absolute washout."

He also echoed former MP Peter Gibson's comments for brown signs on the motorway.

"We need to explain to people that if you come to Darlington there is still an excellent range of independent shops," he said.

Leggs on Skinnergate (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

"We have two theatres, a cinema, a good selection of restaurants. The potential in the market hall is enormous, but it is not being utilised properly at the moment.

"There are many positive things in the town centre which I feel need to be spoken about more.

"I would like to see the council organise some signs being put up on the motorway."