ONLY a year ago, Crown Street was a quiet, rundown part of Darlington.

But now, after the development of a new store, two bars and a multi-storey car park, business is booming.

Last year, the street was still living in the shadow of the nearby town centre, but continued work has helped to breathe new life into the area.

Twelve months ago, work was nearing completion on the multi-storey car park and the final touches were being made to TK Maxx, which opened earlier this year, on a former outdoor car park.

And on the opposite side of the road, work has gone on throughout the year to create two new bars - JD Wetherspoon's William Stead bar and 10 Crown Street.

The latter was opened by the McGee family earlier this week to complete the transformation.

Owner Susan McGee said they had taken the rare opportunity of finding empty premises to open the bar.

Gez Murphy, junior manager at The William Stead, said the JD Wetherspoon firm was delighted with how business had been so far.

He said: "It has really surprised us how well it has gone.

"We didn't expect the food sales to be as high as they have been."

It has also had a positive effect on other nearby businesses.

Staff at the Red Lion, in Priestgate, said more people were drinking there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings - although lunchtime trade had been down.

One said: "It has opened up the area. That is what we hoped would happen."

Susan Young, Cornmill Centre manager, said: "If you look at that area compared to what it was, it has really been lifted."

Darlington Borough councillor David Lyonette, cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: "It proves the area is popular because there is confidence in the outlets.

"It has increased the footfall and, with the new multi-storey car park, it is a great benefit for the Cornmill Centre."

But not all businesses have benefited from the changes.

Both the Pennyweight and The Hole in the Wall pubs, in the market square, reported trade had dropped.

They hoped two new bars due to open in the market square would help boost business.