Discovery confirms Debenhams in Darlington

Discovery Properties has signed Debenhams for a 93,000 sq ft anchor store at The Oval, its 100m shopping and leisure scheme in Darlington, County Durham. As tipped by Estates Gazette in April 2005, Debenhams has taken a new 25-year lease on a store at the 394,000 sq ft centre, which will open in autumn 2010. Darlington council granted consent to the scheme at the beginning of February 2007. In addition to the new Debenhams store, the scheme will include 34 shops, five restaurants, two leisure units and a multiplex cinema.  Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties, said:  “It is great news that Debenhams has committed to Darlington and is a huge vote of confidence both in our scheme and the work being done locally to improve the town centre. “The Oval will provide a significant improvement to the shopping and leisure offer in the town centre and we believe the letting to Debenhams will provide the catalyst for further exciting new retailers who have not previously been represented in Darlington.” The Oval will be built on the site of the Commercial Street and Kendrew Street car parks together with some adjoining land.  It will be linked to Northgate through the existing Queen Street Shopping Centre, which will be upgraded as part of the process. Colliers CRE advised Darlington Borough Council whilst Discovery Properties has been advised by Sanderson Weatherall.