THE opening of the Durham City Retail Park in Dragonville is set to bring expanded shopping opportunities for residents in the region.

The arrival of retail groups, such as B&Q and Currys, and the promise of 700 new jobs are also marking the renaissance of the once rundown area.

Although hailed as an economic revival for the east of Durham, the advent of another new retail park caused concern among city centre traders, worried they could lose business.

However, policy and representation manager for County Durham, Maureen Rigg, who describes part of her role as being that of a trades union official for local businesses, said the opening of the park had now largely been welcomed by city centre traders.

"There was concern, initially, that the new retail park would see further trade moving out of Durham City.

"But businesses were assured by the city council, which backed the venture, that the new units would be for the sale of goods which were otherwise not available in the town.''

Ms Rigg said that, while recent additions at Durham's other retail park, The Arnison Centre, had impacted on the town, the Dragonville Development appeared not to be imposing such retail threats.

She added, however, that she and businesses in the city centre would continue to monitor activities at the retail park to ensure the commercial viability of those operating in the city.