Historic Darlington yards set for new lease of life with revamp project

The historic yards and wynds of a County Durham town are set to be revitalised through a new revamp project.

Darlington Borough Council has begun transforming the town’s yards and wynds through a range of planned works.

Upgraded shop fronts, a living green wall, decorative lighting, benches, pots, planters and artwork are underway or in the pipeline in Darlington as part of the council’s Towns Fund.

Hand-painted stripes and signage has started to appear in Post House Wynd as part of the shopfront enhancements, designed by artist Nicky Peacock.

Nicky Peacock explained: “When I was considering designs for the shopfronts of Post House Wynd, I wanted plenty of colour and a bold, fresh approach to brighten the kerb appeal of this charming but somewhat underrated thoroughfare.

“Stripes never go out of style and colour lifts the spirits. I really wanted Darlington to have a motif all of its own – something memorable, surprising, and joyous – enter the candy-striped shop fronts.”

The Wynd Café & Bistro is the first of the upgrades to be complete, with new hand-painted signage, a turquoise shopfront and pastel coloured stripes.

Owner of Wynd Café & Bistro, Richard Waite, who opened the café last week, said: “We are really pleased with the outcome. It’s superb and looks a million per cent better. The work which is underway sounds really promising. The town has a nice feel to it and lots of potential.”

Leader of Darlington Borough Council, Heather Scott, added: “Investing in our heritage assets like the historic yards and wynds is a key part of our vision and commitment to build on what’s here and take it forward.

“We want to create a resilient town centre rooted in its rich history. I think the pastel stripes look fantastic. There is a growing cluster of independent retailers in the Yards, and they are real gems.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.