Starbucks to open new A66 drive-thru near Darlington

Steels have been erected at the Ivanhoe Service Station on the A66 Westbound for a new drive-thru beside the BP garage. 

And plans lodged with Darlington Borough Council earlier this year have revealed Starbucks as the firm behind the building. 

The news will likely come as a shock to mocha and matcha lovers after the chain shut its site at the former Akbar Dynasty restaurant on the eastbound stretch of the A66 last October. 

The new coffee shop is just 600m away from its former home, although it would take you around eight minutes to drive between the two due to the road layout.

Construction on the new Starbucks drive-thru off the A66 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The plans submitted by Starbucks are for a range of new signs, including the famous Starbucks mermaid logo, name, and screens to display menu items in the drive-thru.

Starbucks had only been based at the roadside restaurant near Sadberge for 15 months when it closed after a “regular review” of its portfolio. 

Construction on the new Starbucks drive-thru off the A66 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The site was put up for sale earlier this year, along with additional land for development.

The building itself has a chequered past. Before its short spell serving coffee, it was home to Indian restaurant Tulip, which operated between 2022 and 2023. 

Before that, it was known as Akbar Dynasty from 2001 to 2021, a well-known curry house that closed following a string of issues including a one-star hygiene rating. 

A former Starbucks on the eastbound side of the A66 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

It also had its licence revoked in April 2021 due to employing illegal workers. 

The restaurant was also once a Little Chef, between the mid 1980s and 2001, known for its Olympic breakfast, Jubilee pancakes, and sirloin steak. 

While Starbucks has a string of locations across the region, including at Preston Farm in Stockton and in Newton Aycliffe, it only has one branch in Darlington at Faverdale.