JJ Blair and Sons set to close after 150 years of serving Darlington

JJ Blair and Sons, a fixture inside Darlington’s Indoor Market since the business was founded in 1875, will officially close its greengrocer stall on October 9.

Known simply as Blairs to many customers, the business has sold fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as plants and flowers, through five generations of the Blair family.

Some of its plants and flowers are grown at the family’s nursery on Barmpton Lane, which will remain open.

JJ Blair and Sons (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The closure comes just weeks after Robin Blair died aged 81, following a short illness in July.

Christine Hanlon, who has worked at the greengrocer for more than 30 years, confirmed the business will close because there is no one to take it on.

Mr Blair, the grandson of the firm’s founder, was Darlington’s longest-serving market trader and had worked at the stall for more than 70 years.

A Facebook post promoting a closing-down sale reads: “Sale on at JJ Blairs Indoor Market Darlington, when it’s gone it’s gone.”

For many in the town, the stall’s closure will mark the end of an era.

Robin began helping in the family business as a child before leaving school at 15 to become more involved. He later took over from his father, continuing the business founded by his grandfather, JJ Blair, just 12 years after Darlington Market opened in 1863.

JJ Blair and Sons (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The greengrocer survived two world wars, economic downturns and the Covid pandemic, becoming one of the market’s best-known traditional traders.

However, Robin had previously voiced concerns about the market’s future amid falling footfall and the departure of long-standing neighbouring businesses.

Speaking to The Northern Echo last year, he said the greengrocer was “hanging on” but he could not “see any turnaround” in trade.

He said the closure of David Jackson Butchers had been particularly damaging, as customers could no longer complete as much of their shopping under one roof.

Hundreds attend the funeral cortege of Robin Blair (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Following Robin’s death, hundreds of people gathered in the town centre to pay their respects as his funeral cortege arrived outside Darlington Market.

Former colleagues described him as the “backbone” of the market, while Darlington Borough Council deputy leader Chris McEwan said he had been “an institution for Darlington”.

While the market stall will shut, customers will still be able to visit the Blair family nursery on Barmpton Lane for plants and flowers.