New plans for D&D African Restaurant in Darlington
D&D African Restaurant, which is based on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough, has submitted proposals for its new home at the former Crombies cafΓ© building on Tubwell Row.Β
The firm, known for its authentic Nigerian cuisine, wants to add a long sign to run along the building featuring its logo, which is the outline of Africa, and green and black colours.Β
D&D has already put new signs above the entrance doors to the venue, which was the former home of one of the townβs oldest family-run restaurants.Β
The red Crombies CafΓ© sign that was once on the building was removed in March to make way for the venueβs new sign, if Darlington Borough Council approves the bid.Β
It is not yet known when D&D plans to open the space.
Details about the new venture remain sparse at this stage, apart from previous plans that were submitted with the council to play music and serve alcohol and late night refreshments.Β
The application also revealed the venue wanted to supply punters with booze between 12pm and 11.30pm midweek and Sundays and until 12.30am on Friday and Saturday, and until the later time of 12.30am on New Yearβs Eve.Β
Opening times would be from 12pm until midnight every day apart from Fridays, Saturdays, and New Yearβs Eve, when it would be open until 1am.
Opened in 1933 by British Guyana-born Alexander Jamieson Crombie and his wife Katherine, Crombies established itself as an institution in the town.
Mr Crombie eventually stepped down from running the restaurant and handed the reins to his daughter Christina and her husband George McCallum.
The family business was then passed down once again to Mr Crombieβs granddaughter Maureen, who took over in 1978 with husband Frederick Stehr.
The duo continued the Crombies name for decades, only taking a hiatus from the industry in the early 2010s before returning and revamping the restaurant in 2015.
They both then retired soon after – and Mr Stehr sadly died in 2018.