House of Fraser closure will ‘rip heart out of Darlington’

It comes as the department store announced its closure on Friday (January 30) with large yellow closing sale signs appearing in the windows of the town centre store that afternoon.

The retail chain – which has been in Darlington since August 1922 – shared news of its decision after staff were told earlier this week. 

Darlington Borough Council said the announcement is “disappointing” for town centre shoppers, and those shoppers tended to agree with murmers about what might become of the large department store heard all around the imposing listed building.

One of the shoppers, Anne Weatherall, an 88-year-old Richmond resident said she was “sad” about the news.

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“I’m old and I remember it as Binns. I think it’s sad when everything is closing and going online,” she said.

“I think Darlington will lose its character.

“It’s a changing world but not for better.”

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

Woodham residents Steve and Sue Poad were worried about what it could mean for the town too.

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

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

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.”

Store bosses later signed a deal in March 2025 to extend House of Fraser’s stay in the town centre by another 12 months after initial fears it may close following a 2024 announcement.

The latest news comes just months after plans were approved to convert the former Binns store, on High Row, into six separate units. 

“We were happy when they saved it the last time, but I do think it’s gone downhill a bit,” Jackie Bendle said.

“It’s a big draw to the town so it would be devastating if it goes,” the 60-year-old from Redworth said.

Jackie Bendle (right). (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

However, not everyone took the news at face value, with some sceptical about whether it would actually close.

Liam, a 29-year-old Darlington resident was one of those sceptical shoppers.

“It’s been closing down for about five years I thought, the only thing that’s changed is the signs!”

Maureen, 78, is ‘Darlington born and bred’. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

‘Darlington born and bred’ Maureen, 78, lay some of the blame at other residents’ doors saying: “If only some of the people looking for bargains had only come here sooner, it might have had a chance.

“But it’s going to be enormous if it’s left empty. It would ruin our town and I feel very sad about that.”

No further details have been provided at this stage, but it is understood that a national food and drink operator formally submitted an offer to take over part of the building, while another unknown firm wanted to take over the entire space. 

Closing down signs appeard on the Binns building on Friday. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Father and son Michael and Richard Baker, 81 and 51, worried about planning permission for the site.

“It will difficult to do anything with the building, planning could be an issue,” they said.

“If it’s empty every day, people will see it and it’ll become an eyesore.”

What is clear is that the town’s affinity with the Binns building will endure, with several residents indicating that the building was their main worry.

Forty-year-old Victoria Herron of Darlington said: “It is incredibly sad for the town, it is an iconic building and I hope they do something with it.

“It is a pivotal part of the town where most people go past.”

While another Darlington resident, Christine Barnaby, 74, said: “I just hope the building gets looked after and it’s not left to fall down.

“It’s a beautiful building.

“I don’t think it’ll impact the town too much if it closes, it’s a working class town and this is more high end and expensive.

“But I hope someone comes into the building with a bit of sense.”