New planters on Coniscliffe Road reduce outdoor seating, upsetting local business owners.
The planters are part of a Darlington Council project. The project aims to revamp Coniscliffe Road for one million pounds. Vicki and Jasmin like the planter design. However, they dislike the lack of communication. They say the council did not communicate well, and the construction work has been ongoing.
Jasmin runs Hash. Her husband Phil has run it for twenty years. Now, they can only fit one table outside and won’t bother with outdoor seating. Vicki owns Twenty Twos since 2023, and her outdoor space will be cut in half. She is confused by this decision.
The council claims they considered local businesses. They state business needs were part of planning. The council wants to keep working with them. Recently, the council moved benches on the pavement due to space concerns too. Vicki questions the planter size and asks why not use bollards instead.
Vicki had permission for nine tables outside. Now, she will likely have half that space. Space is especially important for smaller shops. Vicki said the street revamp missed the mark. Customers enjoyed the outdoor seating after Covid, and she worries fewer tables will deter visitors.
Fewer tables mean less business, Vicki claims. She learned planter specifics while questioning bench placement. Communication and planter size are the problems. Jasmin feels the corner of her business is cut off and is disappointed by the planter placement. She wished the council communicated better.
They planned to renovate their cafe, but now they are unsure due to fewer seats. Jasmin loves the park area for workers, but she thinks it lacks cafe consideration. Jasmin thinks seating plans should have been in initial designs. She praises the friendly, courteous workmen.
The park and planters look nice, Jasmin agrees. However, the cafe setup will not be worthwhile now. They need more tables for extra staff and must police the area also. Benches recently caused similar space problems. Number Twenty 2 could only have two tables with the benches. The council moved the benches after feedback.
Venues can apply for pavement cafe licenses now. The council submitted revised plans on February 7. The council put benches between two shops, and planters now line the other area.
The new plans await a decision. Space and insurance are still issues for the pubs. Vicki worries policing the benches will be harder for them. Councilor Chris McEwan said the project makes the area greener. He said the planter size ensures safety. Businesses’ needs were part of the planning, and the council will keep working with them.