Former Darlington MP to hold emergency trader summit
Peter Gibson has called an ’emergency summit’ for town centre traders on Wednesday (February 9).
His comments come as House of Fraser, which has been in Darlington since August 1922 – shared news of its closure last month, as staff were told they’d be losing their jobs.
“We are on a knife edge and we risk the point of no return,” Mr Gibson said.
“There are examples nearby of other towns and businesses doing well, like Barnard Castle, Northallerton, Yarm.
“These are the places that have bucked the trend, filled the shops and kept the streets busy. What is it that Darlington is not doing that they could do that these places have got?”
Mr GIbson hopes the event at the Grange Road Baptist Church will act as a forum for business owners to share their experiences and concerns for the future.
He added: “I really want the evening to be a very focused assessment of the challenges and problems that businesses are facing.
“But also to come up with concrete suggestions and proposals for the council to take away and seriously consider.”
Closing down signs appeared in House of Fraser’s windows. No exact closure date has yet been provided.
However, the MP, who served the town from 2019 to 2024, has said that the department store’s closure is just a part of the forum.
He says businesses have been raising concerns about both national insurance and rates, putting some in a “dire” position.
Mr Gibson added: “House of Fraser is closing; an anchor tenant in a landmark building in the centre of our town that is only going to see footfall reduce further.
“It’s going to be a huge gap in our high street.
“Having gone around and spoken to independent businesses, it is really dire. It’s not just bad, it’s absolutely dire.
“They are facing whammy after whammy. Every trader that I’ve spoken to is grateful I’m doing this. It’s a critical point for the town.
“There is a reluctant acceptance that nothing is going to change and that nobody cares.”