High street funding announced amid Darlington closures

It comes the day after the future of Darlington’s town centre was called into question after House of Fraser’s departure was mooted.

The multi-million pound fund will be targeted at areas which have been hardest hit by high street shop closures, the Communities secretary said on Saturday (January 31).

Communities will be able to use the cash to re-open vacant units, spruce up high streets, and improve neglected shop fronts.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “Our high streets are the beating heart of Britain — where communities come together and local businesses can grow.

“Town centres have suffered from high streets falling into decline, and that is why we’re taking action to turn the tide with this crucial investment and more to come.

“We have listened to what people are telling us and that’s why we’re giving them the power and control to breathe new life back into our high streets and restore the sense of pride communities feel, building on our transformational Pride in Place programme.”

Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed announced the plans on Saturday. (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

On Friday (January 30) House of Fraser announced it would close its store in Darlington town centre’s historic Binns building.

Residents reacted with sadness to the latest development in the Binns saga, which was saved from closure in 2025 following a last minute deal involving the Mike Ashley owned Fraser Group.

Shoppers in Darlington, like Steve and Sue Poad from Woodham, were worried about what it could mean for the town.

“It’s a real shame,” Steve, a 70-year-old former retail worker, said.

“Without the building Darlington is going to be dead.”

Steve (left) and Sue Poad. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Sue, 68, agreed, saying: “When you have a building as big as this, in a town as small as this, it is going to rip the heart out of Darlington.

“It is an iconic building and it is just so sad.

“I feel so sorry for the staff, but the retail business is on its knees.”

The fund is the first of measures which will make up the Government’s high streets strategy, examining how to improve town and city shopping districts across England.

Ministers have already sparked efforts to rejuvenate ailing high streets, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government pointing to powers which allow councils to prevent the over-proliferation of betting and vape shops, among other measures.