Darlington Market plans 2am alcohol licence amid retail concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 07:31 · Archive

Darlington Market is seeking permission to serve alcohol until 2am daily and host events including boxing and burlesque shows.

Darlington Market's bosses have applied to serve alcohol until 2am daily and extend where it can serve customers across the entire site. The proposals also include hosting boxing matches, burlesque shows, cinema clubs and live music. The application comes as the historic market has experienced closures of several traditional retailers and a shift towards street food and events.

Former Conservative council leader Jonathan Dulston has opposed the plans, arguing they represent 'signing off the end of the market' by turning it into 'one big bar'. He said the proposals seemed to be converting the market into 'one big nightclub seven days a week', straying from 'what was always promised'.

Market manager Michael Harvey and Darlington Borough Council leader Steve Harker have disputed these characterisations. Harvey said he wanted to be 'unequivocally clear' that there were no plans to turn the market into a single late-night bar, describing the bid as providing 'essential flexibility for traditional retail businesses'. Harker stated that any suggestion of a plan to convert the entire building into a single late-night bar is 'simply not true'.

How it is being reported

• Darlington Market accused of 'throwing retail in the skip' over 2am booze sale plansDarlington Market has been accused of “throwing its retail offering in the skip” by becoming “one big bar” amid plans to open until 2am.Darlington & Stockton Times · 19 Oct, 07:00
• Darlington Market accused of 'throwing retail in the skip' over 2am booze sale plansDarlington Market has been accused of “throwing its retail offering in the skip” by becoming “one big bar” amid plans to open until 2am.The Northern Echo · 18 Oct, 05:30

In this story: Darlington Market · Jonathan Dulston · Michael Harvey · Steve Harker · Darlington · Darlington Borough Council

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